Baden-Powell House

Queen’s Gate House, still widely known as Baden-Powell House, stands in South Kensington on the corner of Cromwell Road and Queen’s Gate. It is a six-storey conference and events centre with a hostel that once welcomed Scouts and Guides from around the world. The building replaced a bomb-damaged property bought by the Scout Association in 1956 for £39,000. Its modern design was created by Ralph Tubbs, who had also designed the Dome of Discovery for the 1951 Festival of Britain. The foundation stone was laid in 1959 by Olave, Lady Baden-Powell, the World Chief Guide, in front of 400 guests. The house was opened in 1961 by Queen Elizabeth II with a live BBC broadcast commented by Richard Dimbleby. For decades it served as the headquarters of The Scout Association, moving staff there from Buckingham Palace Road in 1976. A £2 million refurbishment in 1997 added modern amenities and a museum called The Baden-Powell Story. At its peak the hostel recorded 30,000 overnight stays and 100,000 meals served in its restaurant each year. Visitors now find a modern events venue with conference rooms and a hostel converted into boarding accommodation for students. The building retains its Le Corbusier-inspired style, with the first floor cantilevered over the ground floor. A granite statue of Lord Baden-Powell by Don Potter stands outside, and inside a black marble panel on the balcony commemorates the 1961 opening. The surrounding area in South Kensington offers museums and gardens within easy walking distance.