Thames Young Mariners, Outdoor education center in Ham, England
Thames Young Mariners is an outdoor education center in Ham, southwest London, with a lagoon connected to the River Thames through a dedicated lock. The site offers activities such as kayaking, sailing, archery, climbing, mountain biking, and orienteering, with adapted options available for disabled groups.
The site was farmland owned by the Earl of Dysart in the 1800s before it shifted to gravel extraction in the following century. That industrial use left behind the water-filled landscape that was later shaped into the current educational facility.
Young people come here to learn water skills and outdoor techniques through certified programs recognized by sailing and kayaking organizations. You will see groups practicing navigation, teamwork, and self-reliance in a working educational setting.
A visit usually requires arranging a group booking or joining an organized program, as the center mainly runs structured activities. Conditions vary with the seasons and weather, so bringing appropriate clothing and footwear is a good idea.
The site includes Buffalo Creek, a Teepee village where groups practice wilderness skills and maintain supervised campfires. This corner of the site offers a very different experience from the water sports and outdoor activities found elsewhere on the grounds.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
