Latest news and events

• When is Hautbois Fest?

Friday 14 - Monday 17 August 2026

• Where is Hautbois Fest?

Hautbois activity centre - 5 Gt Hautbois Road, Coltishall, NR12 7JN

• How much is Hautbois Fest?

Girls: £150.00 per person

Leaders: £95.00 per person

Tented village price - £5.00 per person (payment due upon booking alongside deposit)

Bookings are secured with a non-refundable deposit (£50 for girls, £30 for leaders). Online bookings preferable. Manual bookings can be made via the office by emailing hello@hautbois.org.uk and will be held for 14 days.

A final invoice will be send 12 weeks prior to the event (22nd May) and final payment will be due 8 weeks before the event (19th June).

• When do bookings open?

Tickets will go live via our online booking portal on Monday 10th November 2025 here: https://hautbois.cinolla.com/hautbois/course/hautbois-fest-2024

• Who can attend?

Guide and Ranger units

• What is the event theme?

This year’s theme is ‘Global Adventure’celebrating the spirit of Guiding and the way it connects us across all corners of the globe. Just like being part of a worldwide sisterhood, Hautbois Fest will take you on a journey of discovery – no plane ticket required!

Look out for your themed campsite entrance!

• Will there be event merchandise?

There will be exclusive Hautbois Fest 2026 merchandise available to pre-order and additional to purchase in the shop throughout your visit. Additional details will be share in due course.

• Do we need to bring tents?

You can bring your own tents or book a spot in our tented village. The tented village offers ready-pitched tents for convenience, with an additional charge for this service. If you’re bringing your own, each tent can be up to two people larger than the number sleeping in it (for example, 2 people may use a 4-person tent, 6 people may use an 8-person tent, and so on).

• Is bedding provided?

All attendees must bring their own bedding to this event. Camping provisions will not include bedding or sleeping resources. We recommend an airbed or camp bed, sleeping bag, pillow, and any home comforts.

• Is indoor accommodation available?

This event is all about the festival spirit, so accommodation will be available other than camping, but that’s part of the adventure! We’ll provide plenty of support to make sure everyone has a comfortable and fun experience under canvas.

• Can we bring gazebos etc.?

To make sure there’s plenty of space for everyone, gazebos or additional shelters are not permitted. Don’t worry though – there will be lots of shared spaces and covered areas provided for relaxing and escaping the weather if needed.

• Will campsites be confirmed in advance?

Yes, you will be told the name of your campsite closer to the date of arrival -don’t forget to bring your themed decorations for your camp. This year, there will be a specific campsite for Rangers ONLY units.

• Is food provided?

We’ve got you covered when it comes to food! All meals will be provided throughout the event – starting with dinner on the day you arrive and finishing with breakfast on departure day. You’ll enjoy a variety of dinners each evening, packed lunches for daytime, and refreshments available all day. If you’d like a little extra, a tuck shop will also be open with small snacks to purchase.

Please feel free to supplement meals by bringing your own snacks.

Following feedback from 2024, we are excited to confirm hot breakfast items will be available and the food trucks are returning for evening meals!

• Do we need to bring our own cutlery and crockery?

In line with our sustainability policy, everyone must bring their own plate, bowl, cutlery, water bottle and mug. There will be washing up stations where units can wash their items throughout their visit.

• Are hot drinks available?

Although it’s a summer event, we know a warm cuppa is always welcome! Hot drinks will be available in the dry shelters around site throughout the event including tea, coffee and hot chocolate.

• Can we bring our own extra food, and store?

You’re welcome to bring your own food to store in the dry shelters, but please keep in mind that fridge space is very limited and shared between lots of people. To keep everyone safe, this is a completely nut-free site – that means no nuts, and no products labelled ‘may contain nuts’.

• What about allergies?

We can accommodate almost all dietary requirements and will do our best to adapt menus where needed. There will also be an opportunity to discuss specific needs directly with the Hautbois staff and catering team as the event approaches, so everyone can feel confident and cared for.

• What activities/areas will be available throughout the event?

Across the weekend, each unit will get the opportunity to visit 4 areas – arts & crafts area, pamper zone, STEM, Hautbois adventurous activities. Units will be allocated a 2.5-hour timeslot to visit each of these areas on a specific date at a specific time.

• Do we need to book activities in advance?

No, each unit will be allocated a specific time slot for certain activities. Units must attend during their assigned slot if they wish to take part, as there won’t be an opportunity to join that activity outside of the scheduled time. We will also be bringing back leader only sessions throughout the weekend.

• Do we need to bring anything extra for activities?

A full kit list will be sent out in advance, but the girls will get the opportunity to take part in Hautbois adventurous activities so suitable clothing, and clothes and shoes they don’t mind getting wet, will be required. We also recommend bringing a sturdy bag to take home any crafts and creations you make, so they don’t get lost or damaged. A small day bag for carrying essentials is also handy!

• What will be available in the evening?

Friday & Saturday: enjoy live music performances.

Sunday (finale evening): dance the night away with live music, a lively disco and DJ set, followed by a spectacular laser light show and a grand fireworks display.

Our silent disco and cinema will also be open into the early evening and friendship bracelets; board games will be available throughout the weekend.

• Are there any daytime activities?

During the daytime, a variety of activities will take place at the stage area – full details will be confirmed closer to the event. We’ll also have a silent disco at set times, and a schedule of films showing in the indoor cinema for everyone to enjoy.

• How do we get there?

Hautbois is easy to reach from across the country. By car - conveniently located near the A47 and A11, with clear signposting to Coltishall and Wroxham. By train - the nearest main station is Norwich, with frequent services from London, Cambridge, and other major UK cities.

Shuttle service - for those arriving by train, we will be offering a shuttle bus from Norwich train station directly to Hautbois activity centre for your convenience. We will ask you to let us know in advance if you require this service.

• Can we park on-site throughout the event?

A designated car park will be available for those leaving cars on-site throughout the event. We will also send out details for you to request a parking permit before the event which we will ask to be displayed throughout the event. Please note that vehicles are left at the owner’s risk.

• Is there somewhere for parents to drop-off and pick-up?

There will be a designated area for parents to drop off and pick up participants. Details will be confirmed before the event and clearly signposted on arrival at the centre, so the process is simple and stress-free.

• Will disabled parking be available?

Disabled parking will be available close to the event site for those who need it. To help us plan and allocate spaces, we’ll ask you to let us know in advance if you require this.

• Travel bursaries?

We are hopeful that a travel bursary will be available to support those attending this event. Further details, including how to apply, will be shared nearer the time.

• Who is responsible for the girls?

Leaders remain responsible for their girls throughout the event, including during activities, meals, and overnight. Our event team will be on hand to support, but overall care and supervision will stay with leaders.

• Who is responsible for first aid?

Each unit must have at least one leader who is first aid trained. In addition, a staffed First Aid point will be available on-site throughout the event for extra support if needed.

• Are staff on-site all day/overnight?

Staff and volunteers will remain on-site overnight. Closer to the event, we’ll provide details on who to contact specifically overnight.

• Will there be people available to contact throughout the event?

The lead volunteer, event volunteers, and staff will be on-site throughout the day. An information point will be open for most of the day to assist with any queries, and the team there can help direct you to the right person for your needs.

• Will there be Wi-Fi/phone signal?

The site generally has good phone signal, but this cannot be guaranteed. There is also Wi-Fi available for emergency use only; it won’t be available across the site and will not be advertised to attendees.

• How will announcements be made?

All announcements and updates will be posted at the information point, so be sure to check there regularly to stay informed throughout the event.