This is the place for information about Girlguiding in Bath. Find out about what we've been up to and how you can get involved!

There are lots of girls waiting to join Girlguiding units in Bath. Why not use our contact us link to find out more about volunteering and the rewards being a leader brings.

Welcome to the website for Girlguiding in Bath

Girlguiding UK is celebrating its Centenary!

We are part of the UK's largest voluntary organisation for girls and young women. Guiding in Bath is very active with over 900 members meeting in 45 groups across the city and in the surrounding areas of Bathford, Batheaston, Freshford and Bathampton. This covers the 5-7 year olds who come along to our Rainbow groups, Brownies, Guides, teenagers who belong to our Senior Section and, of course, adult volunteers including many students from the Universities.

We firmly believe that we can make a real difference to the lives of girls and young women as we are unique in being able to offer a safe, single sex environment where girls can meet up and learn to address the issues that are important to them in our society today. Girls learn that wherever they come from and whatever their background they do have a voice and that they can influence what is going on around them. We talk about issues that may concern them personally, such as bullying or eating disorders, and we discuss things that have a wider concern, such as poverty and climate change. We also have great fun and provide opportunities to learn new skills and visit new places. From candle making to rock climbing, camping to cookery, abseiling to archery - we have given local girls the chance to take part in all these activities.

Whatever your age, wherever you live, whenever you are available - we have something to offer you. Why not take a look at what we've been up to recently and contact us if youd like to get involved.

Recent Events

This is a selection of what we have been up to recently. Most events happen in individual units, but we quite often come together for larger events. For details of older events, please see our archive.



Batheaston Brownies visited by Winter Olympics Medal Winner Amy Williams: 17th Bath Brownies

Batheaston Brownies visited by Winter Olympics Medal Winner Amy Williams 17th Bath (Batheaston) Brownies had a special treat on 29th June when Winter Olympic gold medal winner Amy Williams came to visit them. The girls had completed a Marathon Bounce of 26 minutes in aid of CLIC when Amy called in. The girls interviewed her about her diet and training regime and Amy encouraged the girls to eat plenty of healthy fruit and veg and get to bed early. She then let them try her medal on. "I was really excited to meet a real Olympic athlete. I got a signed photo and got wear her medal too!" said Lucy Chandler aged 7.


Bathford Brownies Celebrate the Centenary of Girl Guiding : Girlguiding UK

Bathford Brownies Celebrate the Centenary of Girl Guiding Fifteen Brownies from Bathford joined more than three hundred seven to ten-year-old girls to experience the thrills and spills of adventure at a PGL activity centre in Torquay. The ’Big Brownie Takeover’ took place over the Bank Holiday weekend in early May to mark the first 100 years of guiding.

For most of the girls it was their first weekend away from family, a challenge for parents and girls alike. The Brownies had three hot meals a day, and slept (eventually) in dormitories in the magnificent main house. They were led in singing and team activities by the tireless PGL staff. Following a wet campfire sing-along, the Brownies were treated to an amazing firework display on the Saturday evening.

During the weekend Bathford girls tried abseiling, climbing, and archery (mostly in the rain to add to the challenge!) and joined other Brownies from all over the region to compete in team challenge activities. Amy, aged 9, commented "abseiling was fun because it was like falling out of an airplane! I have learned to be brave!"

The girls agreed that the most exciting activity was a challenge during which they had to build and climb a tower of crates at least 8 feet high then leap off, being suspended by ropes held by their friends! "It’s like flying" Katrin, aged 7, remarked with a smile on her face.

For the adult leaders from Bathford it was their first experience of taking the Brownies away. "The facilities and support provided by PGL was amazing" explained Vanessa, Bathford’s Brown Owl. "I will definitely be planning a future trip and recommend it all families and groups looking for a safe, yet challenging environment."

Bathford Brownies and Rainbows can only run meetings and activities thanks to the help of volunteers. Both groups are saying goodbye to highly valued helpers this summer and both are desperate for help to start in September or earlier. Adult help is needed once or twice a month in term times at their meetings held in the early evening. Brownies are aged 7-10 years and Rainbows are younger, aged 5-7 years. Both groups are really popular with local girls. Although mums help keep the groups running, without an extra regular volunteer each there is a danger the groups might have to close.


Bath Division Leaders visit Our Cabana : Bath Division

Bath Division Leaders visit Our Cabana Over Easter a group of 16 adult leaders from Bath went to Cuernavaca, Mexico to stay at Our Cabana, one of the four World Guide Centres. Also staying at the centre during our stay were Guiders and girls from the United States, Mexico, El Salvador and Costa Rica. The visit partly involved learning about the activities of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) linked to the Millennium Development Goals and gathering programme ideas to use at our meetings in the UK.

Another aspect of the visit involved finding out more about the Mexican culture and crafts, with a salsa evening and opportunity to try amate painting on thin pieces of bark. The final aspect was sight seeing with visits to Taxco, a town famous for it’s silver and the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon at Teotihuacan.


Our Amazing Journey to the Centenary Maze: 57th Bath Guides, 40th Bath Guides

Our Amazing Journey to the Centenary Maze Not wanting to miss out on any aspect of the Centenary Year, 12 Guides, 2 Young Leaders and 3 Leaders from St Saviours and Bathampton Guides decided to go to London to see the Girlguiding Centenary Maze in Crystal Palace. One fine Saturday in March, we left Bath Railway Station at 7.30am for a day trip that would involve 4 train and 5 tube journeys – all of which ran on time!

Our first destination was Crystal Palace Park, where we walked past some of the life size dinosaur models made by the Victorians, before enjoying a welcome hot chocolate drink in the cafe. Next stop was the Maze, with the race on to who would get to the centre first. On route there was an opportunity to collect rubbings of Guiding features from the stone obelisks. Once we were all in the centre, lots of photos taken before everyone was presented with a souvenir badge and a booklet.

We travelled back to Waterloo and a short walk took us to the London Eye, which the Guides had selected as the top place to visit in London. We were fortunate with the weather and had fine views in all directions, including seeing the Crystal Palace Transmitter and Buckingham Palace which was our next destination. From the Palace we went to Girlguiding HQ to do some shopping and then the Natural History Museum Darwin Centre to round off our sightseeing tour.

Our final stop was ASK near Paddington. The waitress really questioned whether we could have pudding and still catch our train home, but the staff and girls rose to challenge and ice creams and chocolate puddings were prepared and eaten in record time!

On the train home there was just time to ask the Guides what they thought of the day, "Good Fun", "Exciting, especially the Maze and London Eye", "Too much walking", "Brilliantv, "Not enough shopping" were some of the responses as we journeyed back to Bath.


Centenary Exhibition in Bath Library: Bath Division

Centenary Exhibition in Bath Library As part of the continuing Girlguiding Centenary Celebrations a special Guiding exhibition is being held from Monday 15th to Saturday 20th February in Bath Central Library. The exhibition can be viewed during normal library opening hours and there is no charge to visit.