Mersey WeaverQueen Charlotte's Wood
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Main Campfire Circle
🔥 Make Your Event One to Remember
Queen Charlotte’s Wood is home to a fantastic campfire facility, ideally located next to the Target Sports range and within close proximity to The Hideaway — making it a brilliant base for your next group adventure or event.
Gather around the fire, enjoy the great outdoors and make the most of this unique setting.
Ready to book? Simply select the campfire facility as part of your booking. Once your booking and associated products have been submitted, our Bookings Manager will review and confirm your booking.
🔥 Gather. Explore. Create memories.
N.B the Campfire Circle must be booked alongside either Camping, The Hideaway, The Bothy, Laavu, Evening Visitor or Day Visitor.
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Outdoor Kitchen & Secondary Campfire Circle
🔥 The Campfire Kitchen – Cook, Eat & Make Memories
Ready to take your camp cooking to the next level? Queen Charlotte’s Wood has its very own outdoor kitchen and campfire circle, located close to Badger’s Rake and The Pines, where groups can gather, cook up a feast and enjoy food the way it was meant to be enjoyed — outdoors!
Renovated in 2022, this special campfire area was created in memory of our late campsite manager, April Nicholas, and provides a fantastic space for groups to come together.
With seating for at least 24 people around the campfire, there’s plenty of room to gather around, share stories and enjoy a meal under the stars.
🍕 More Than Just Pizza!
The outdoor kitchen includes:
- 🔥 A traditional wood-fired pizza oven
- 🍖 Two altar-style barbecues
- 🍴 Four stainless-steel preparation surfaces
So why not leave the mess tent and gas stoves behind and embrace proper outdoor cooking?
And don’t stop at pizza! The wood-fired oven is perfect for getting creative with your camp menu. Why not try your hand at:
- Freshly baked bread 🥖
- Slow-cooked meat 🍖
- Roasted fish 🐟
- Homemade pizzas 🍕
- Or even a full roast dinner! 🍗
Whether you’re cooking for a small group or bringing everyone together for a big campfire feast, this is a place to cook, eat, relax and make memories together.
🌲 Gather Around the Fire
There’s something special about preparing food outdoors, sitting around a roaring fire and enjoying a meal with your group. Bring your ingredients, bring your appetite and let the adventure begin!
Fire up the oven, gather around the campfire and create your own Queen Charlotte’s Wood feast. 🔥🏕️
N.B The Campfire & Outdoor Kitchen area must be booked alongside either Camping, The Hideaway, The Bothy, Laavu, Evening Visitor or Day Visitor.
🔥 Important: Pizza Oven & Campfire Kitchen
Please note that the pizza oven requires specific types of wood to operate safely and effectively. You must only use hardwood with a moisture content of less than 20%.
Before using the oven, please ensure you read and follow the operating manual and instructions provided.
We also ask that you leave the outdoor kitchen and campfire circle clean, tidy and immaculate after use, ready for the next group to enjoy.
Help us keep this fantastic facility in great condition for everyone. 🌲🔥
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Air Rifle Shooting Session at Queen Charlotte’s Wood (Range, Instructor & Equipment provided)
The indicative cost above is for a 2 hour session with 6 simultaneous shooters on the firing line and 1 instructor. The actual cost of you booking will be shown below once you have chosen, the number of simultaneous shooters and your chosen session duration
The new target sports range (The Gallery) opened in Autumn 2022, We have a stock of equipment suitable for Cubs through to Explorer aged young people and adults.
Our NRSA qualified Instructors will run the range and provide instruction to participants. One instructor is recommended for every 6 Scouts/Explorers shooting; however, this ratio may be adjusted depending on the age/maturity of the shooters on agreement of the Instructor. Cubs (minimum age 8) may need a higher ratio of supervision on the range (e.g. 1 instructor plus 1 adult helper for 6 simultaneous Cubs shooting).
The booking includes the range , springer air rifles (Gamo Delta Fox), 1 pack of 50 targets (17cm), 1 tin of 500 pellets (4.52mm) and services of one qualified NRSA Air rifle Target Sports Team member who is also RCO qualified..
Session will start with a 10 minute safety briefing for all shooters, allow 5 minute turnaround time between groups of shooters. Therefore in a 2 hour booking, a maximum of 3 x 30 minutes sessions is possible allowing for safety briefing and changeovers (i.e 3 sessions x 6 rifles = 18 participants).
Note: A group of 6 shooters will typically shoot three targets of 10 shots in a session (i.e. 540 pellets and 54 targets. Therefore we recommend purchasing additional 1 pack of rifle targets and 1 tin of 250 pellets when making the booking, unless you are providing your own consumables.
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Self-Led Air Rifle Shooting Session at Queen Charlotte’s Wood (Range, Target Holders & Air Rifles provided)
The indicative cost above is for a 2 hour session with 6 air rifles provided. The actual cost of you booking will be shown below once you have chosen, the number of air rifles required and your chosen your session duration.
The booking includes the range , springer air rifles (Gamo Delta Fox Break Barrel, 0.177, 6 ftlb).
When selecting start and fish times please ensure you include time to collect and return air rifles to our District Scout Centre; as well as setup, tidy and close up the range.
You must provide your own NRSA qualified Range Control Officer to manage the safe operation of the range and adequate ratio of NRSA qualified Air Rifle YPS Tutors/Instructors to participants for instruction. All those managing and helping to deliver the session must read and copy with the Mersey Weaver Range Operating procedures and Instructions (See Safety documents section below).
If you require 0.177 pellets and/or paper targets these must be added to your order.
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Self-Led Crossbow Session at Queen Charlotte’s Wood (Range, Target Holders & Crossbows provided)
The indicative cost above is for a 2 hour booking with 6 crossbows provided. The actual cost of you booking will be shown below once you have chosen, the number of air rifles required and your chosen your session duration.
The booking includes the range , target bosses and EK Archery Jaguar 1 recurve crossbows fitted with Red/Green Dot sights and 40lbs limb, quivers each with 3 bolts.
When selecting start and finishing times please ensure you include time to setup, tidy and close up the range (allow 45 mins on top of the recommend session time for number of particpants).
You must provide your own NRSA qualified Range Control Officer to manage the safe operation of the range and adequate ratio of NRSA qualified Crossbow YPS Tutors/Instructors to participants for instruction. All those managing and helping to deliver the session must read and copy with the Mersey Weaver Range Operating procedures and Instructions (See Safety documents section below). For self-led session the hirer is responsible for preparing the activity risk assessment and having it signed off before the session starts.
If you require target faces these must be added to your order.
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Archery Session at Queen Charlotte’s Wood (Range, Equipment & Instructor provided)
The indicative price above is for a 2 hour session which provides sufficient time to handle up to 15 participants as 3 groups of 5 simultaneous archers on the shooting line. The actual cost of your booking will be shown below after you select the number of simultaneous archers and the length of your desired session. Scout Groups/Explorer Scout Units receive a discount which is applied during checkout provided that you log in with an account that has the appropriate membership profile applied. If you don’t see the discount and you are logged in, click here.
The target sports range located at Queen Charlottes Wood has a covered shooting area together with a stock of equipment suitable for Beavers through to Explorer aged young people and adults.
We have a number of Permitted Archery Instructors who can be booked subject to availability, in advance, should you not have your own Permitted Instructor. Currently, they are only available by prior arrangement in evenings or at weekends. One instructor is required for every 5 archers shooting; however, this ratio may be adjusted depending on the age/needs of the archers (e.g. Beavers may need a higher ratio of supervision on the range). For most bookings at QCW we recommend 5 simultaneous archers.
Each set of archers will start with a 10 minute briefing on safety and use of bow for all archers, allow 5 minute turnaround time between sets of archers. Therefore in a 2 hour booking, 3 x 30 minutes sessions is possible allowing for safety briefing and changeovers (i.e 3 sessions x 5 bows =15 participants).
Points of Note:
- We require that an adult volunteer from the group stay on the range with the instructor over the course of the session.
- Proof of parental/guardian/carer’s permission for participant to take part in the archery session is available for review by the instructor prior to the start of the session. It is the booker’s responsible to obtain this in line with the Scout Association Guidance on scouts.org.uk
- Details of any participant who is on medication and/or may require additional support must be provided well in advance of the session so that any additional support requirements can be assessed and managed.
If you have your own qualified Archery Instructor and equipment, the range can be booked on its own here.
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Crate Stacking at QCW (Self Led)
We have 30+ heavy duty plastic crates that can be used for crate stacking/climbing. Please note this is a hire of equipment only and the activity is self led. You will require your own instructor who is competent enough to confidently both set this activity up and run it. Crate Stacking/Climbing is classified as a High Ropes activity and you must follow the relevant factsheet from The Scouts.
The crates can be hired and used for a crate stacking activity with:
- Our Mobile Climbing Wall (provided you have an artificial top rope climbing permit or higher) or;
- Our Mobile Climbing wall while at Queen Charlotte’s Wood (provided you have an artificial top rope climbing permit or higher) or;
- As a temporary High Ropes activity at Queen Charlotte’s Wood on the Three Oaks campsite (provided you have a natural top rope climbing permit or higher).
If hiring for Crate Stacking at QCW, the crates come with the following equipment:
- 1 x Blue Lyon Climbing Ballast Bag, 1 x DMM sling and 1x DMM Shadow HMS Screwgate Carabiner for securing the belayer
- 1 x Blue Petzl GRI GRI belay device and 1 x DMM Belay Master Carabiner for the belayer
- 3 x Blue Edelweiss 30m Climbing ropes
- 1 x Petzl Vertical Wire Lock Carabiner for clipping onto crates
- 2 x Blue Climbing Technology Galaxy Helmets
- 1 x DMM Alpine Centre Threadback Harness for the belayer
- 1 x Singing Rock Body Harness for the climber
- 2 x DMM Chest Sidelock Harnesses with 2 x Bridge Slings and 2 x Green Mammut Carabiners for use with waist harnesses
- Additional Climbing Harnesses and Helmets. Please note that these are shared with the climbing wall.
- A maximum of 12 x DMM Centre Sidelock Harnesses
- A maximum of 12 x Petzl White Boreo / Teal Borea Helmets
Please ensure that your selected start and end times for the session, includes time to setup, takedown and return equipment to its designated storage location(s).
N.B. To use the crates at Queen Charlotte’s Wood, you must also be booked in as a Day Visitor, Evening Visitor, Camper or for The Hideaway
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Croquet Set
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Crossbow Session at Queen Charlotte’s Wood (Range, Instructor & Equipment provided)
The indicative cost above is based on a 2 hour session with use of 6 crossbows (simultaneous shooters on the firing line) and 1 NSRA qualified RCO/instructor. The actual cost of your booking will be shown below once you have selected the number of crossbows/simultaneous shooters and desired session timings
Once you have configured and submitted your booking request (by clicking the “check availability” button to put the booking in your basket and when ready go to the basket and checkout your order). Once the order is submitted we will check instructor availability for the requested date/time before confirming the booking and requesting payment.
Our NRSA qualified Instructors will run the range and provide instruction to participants. Currently, they are only available by prior arrangement. One instructor is recommended for every 6 Scouts/Explorers shooting; however, this ratio may be adjusted depending on the age/maturity of the shooters on agreement of the Instructor. Note Our minimum age for crossbow shooting is 10 years old. (note we do have 6 fun crossbows and targets for use by Beavers and Cubs which can be used anywhere within reason).The booking includes the use of the outdoor target sports range , crossbows (EK Archery Jaguar MK1 with 40lb draw weight fitted fitted red dot sight), crossbow targets suitable for use at 10m, target bosses and services of one qualified NRSA Crossbow YPS Tutor(or NRSA Club Instructor or Coach).
Each set of shooters will start with a 5-10 minute briefing on safety and use of crossbow for all shooters, allow 5 minute turnaround time between sets of shooters. Therefore in a 2 hour booking, 3 x 30 minutes sessions is possible allowing for safety briefing and changeovers (i.e 3 sessions x 6 crossbows = 18 participants).
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Giant Connect Four
Giant Up 4 It requires strategy, skill and of course a lot of luck. Players take turns to drop their counters into the frame with the intention of forming a line of 4, whilst doing so they must also prevent their opponent from making a line with their counters.
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Kubb Sets
Kubb is a lawn game where the objective is to knock over wooden blocks by throwing wooden batons at them. Kubb can be described as a combination of bowling and horseshoes. Play takes place on a small rectangular playing field, known as a “pitch”. “Kubbs” are placed at both ends of the pitch, and the “king”, a larger wooden block, is placed in the middle of the pitch. Some rules vary from country to country and from region to region, but the ultimate objective of the game is to knock over the “kubbs” on the opposing side of the pitch, and then to knock over the “king”, before the opponent does. Games can last from five minutes to well over an hour. The game can be played on a variety of surfaces such as grass, sand, concrete, snow, or even ice.
The alleged Viking origin of the game has led some players and kubb fans to nickname the game “Viking chess
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Mobile Climbing Wall at QCW
Please use this product to book the wall at Queen Charlotte’s Wood. You must also be booked in as a Day Visitor, Evening Visitor, Camper or for The Hideaway. If you wish to book the wall for use offsite you should book here
Why not give Rock Climbing a go? We own a 9 metre high mobile climbing wall that lives at Queen Charlotte’s Wood and can be used on site while not out on hire.
The wall can accommodate up to five climbers at any one time. Included in the hire are enough harnesses, helmets, ropes and carabiners for 20 people so the whole section can have a go…
The climbing wall comes as a dry hire and you will need to arrange your own instructor(s). We recommend using the permit holder search functionality in the Scout Membership System to find and contact permit holders.
Fees for 2026: Mersey Weaver Scouts/Guides Other Charitable Organisations Per hour* £20 (Max charge £40) £25.00 £31.25 * Please ensure that you include sufficient time to set up, takedown and return equipment to their designated storage locations within the start and end times you are booking for your session(s).
If you would like some crates to run crate stacking on the end of the wall off the you can add these to your basket for an extra fee here
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Ninja Slackline Obstacle Course
We have a 15m Slackline complete with obstacle course attachments training lines and tree protectors perfect for building part of an obstacle or assault course or fun outdoor play area. The trees to which they are attached need to be healthy sound trees capable to taking the force applied to them. You could also book additional slacklines to extend the course
The recommended maximum user weight is 113kg. Ninja attachments are suitable for Squirrel, Beaver and younger Cubs.
This is only for use on the QCW site, it must not be booked for offsite use.
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Pioneering Poles
Want to build a structure, bridge, tree house or catapult? Then the District has a wide selection of pioneering poles at its Queen Charlotte’s Wood Activity Centre. The poles are available to use free of charge to all Mersey Weaver Groups or guests at the campsite.
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The Gallery Activity Area
The Gallery has a grassed Geogrid surface providing a flat surface which can be used in most weathers, 36m2 covered hardstanding area with light, power and gated access point. Suitable for outdoor activities, meetings or just when you want an enclosed area to use!
It can also be used as an outdoor cinema/disco area when booked in conjunction with our 185 inch mobile screen and active PA speakers.
It you want to book The Gallery for Target Sports Activities please book the Target Sports Range using one of the following products:
- Self Led Shooting/Archery Activity
- Mersey Weaver Instructor Led Archery Session
- Mersey Weaver Instructor Led Air Gun Session
- Mersey Weaver Instructor Led Crossbow Session
N.B The Gallery must be booked alongside either Camping, The Hideaway, The Bothy, Laavu, Evening Visitor or Day Visitor.
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Target Sports Range at Queen Charlotte’s Wood (Range and Target Holders Only)
The indicative price above is for 1 hour session with the use of six bosses or target holders. The actual cost for your booking will be shown below once session duration chosen.
If you have your own permitted Archery/NSRA crossbow instructor and Target Sports equipment, Mersey Weaver have a target sports range located at its idyllic Queen Charlottes Wood Activity Centre.
The range only booking comes equipped with:
- For Archery/Crossbows – 6 x 90cm bosses
- For Air Guns – 6 x stands with target holders
- The minimum bookable time is 1 hour and thereafter in 30 minute increments.
The hirer will need to provide their own paper targets and equipment. Access (codes) to The Gallery starts at your booked start time; you also must clear up and leave The Gallery by the end of your booked end time. Therefore allow time for setup and clear up when selecting your start and end time. You also need to book a QCW evening visitor (or day visitor) as numbers on site are controlled and you will need QCW gate codes to be issued by the QCW bookings team.
