Girlguiding has sold one of five activity centres it closed down as part of a money saving drive at the end of last year.

Blackland Farm in Sussex has been sold to an adventure operator led by a local group “with well-established links” to the centre and area.

The 123-acre site near East Grinstead was on the market for £4m and includes three self-catering holiday houses, a private three-bedroom residential cottage, activity area with tree climbing and high ropes, as well as 34 self-contained campsites with facilities.

In addition, it has a “substantial” four-bedroom house with two acres of garden, according to estate agents Savills.

The sale to a local adventure operator means it will continue to be run as an outdoor activity centre, and will be open to Girlguiding, Scouts, schools, and other youth groups.

“Girlguiding’s trustees used a set of principles for the sale, including continued use for adventure,” said the charity.

“We are very glad that the spirit and experience of adventure that has existed at Blackland Farm for many years will live on, and the centre will continue to benefit girls and Girlguiding.”

Money made from the sale will be placed by the charity in a designated fund which includes investment in “our adventure offer as well as for the future of Girlguiding”.

An update: Blackland Farm will open under new ownership, led by a local group with links to the area. It will be run as an activity centre, open to Girlguiding and Scout groups and more. We’re really glad that the centre will continue to benefit girls.https://t.co/vi5VtdpetO pic.twitter.com/1KFGTovdSV

— Girlguiding (@Girlguiding) April 16, 2024

Girlguiding chair Catherine Irwin added: “I’m delighted Blackland Farm will be operated by owners who are local and who know both the site and the area.

“We cannot afford to own and operate activity centres ourselves and we are very glad that Blackland Farm under local ownership will carry on being used for adventure by young people.”

Blackdown farm was one of five centres the charity closed last year to save money and generate funds.

Last year the Charity Commission announced it was to look into the charity's decision to sell the activity centres, as well as the end of some of its overseas operations, amid criticisms from MPs about the moves.

A crowdfunding campaign was launched to keep open the Foxlease centre in Lyndhurst, Hampshire, which campaign group Foxie’s Future are looking to buy. It has already raised more than £3.7m of the £4m it needs to secure the centre.

The other three centres that closed were the charity's Glenbrook, Waddow Hall and Ynysgain sites.

The Save our Girlguiding Activity centres campaign group said Blackland Farm’s sale to a local operator is “fantastic news”.

“Hopefully we can bring you some news on the other centres very soon,” it added.

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