This information is extracted from a New York Times article of May 9, 2004 by Mr. Douglas Martin, “A Trip Worthy of a Merit Badge.”

“If your planning a vacation to London, as a Scouting family you can make it something special by camping at the Lord Baden-Powell house in the South Kensington neighborhood, near two tube stops, great museums and Hyde park. Scouting families get precedence and discounts for the 180 beds in dormatories and spartan rooms. Nothing in London is cheap these days, but here rooms with individual baths a teapot and a wholesome breakfast for $53 per night per adult and $30 per night per child. As an active Scouter discounts of upto 9% are possible.

The queen personally dedicated this house in 1962, and it was remodeled in 1997.  It is in the heart of the museum district across the street from the Museum of Natural History, near the Science Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.  It was established to provide affordable accommodations Scouts visiting London.

The house is a shrine to Baden-Powell, hero of the Boer war and the first and only chief Scout of the world, beginning with the larger than life statue of Baden-Powell at the entrance.  On display are his army dress uniform, replete with plumed hat and sword, a model of the Rolls-Royce presented to him by adoring scouts, and one of his report cards that was nothing to write home about.  A pretty good key to his personality was a handwritten list titled: “Laws for me when I am old.”  It was written when he was eight years old.

The building is a beehive of groups and individuals, some staying overnight, others longer. There were places for scout activities, a small cafe, and a preschool. There were armies of Cub Scouts, and Scouts from many countries of the world.

From here many London sights are immediately access- able. ... The following and last message was penned by Lord Baden-Powell in 1941. ’Try to leave the world a little better than you found it, and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best.’”

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