The Endeavour, Godstone, Surrey

Shortlisted for our Best Loved Award, the Endeavour has always served local young people. Almost a century after it was built by the local Scouts Group, the local community has banded together to campaign for its repair. 

Our Best Loved Award celebrates regular care and maintenance to old buildings, a key aspect of the SPAB Approach. Our shortlisted projects demonstrate the value of maintenance for buildings of all dates and types, and for the people who occupy, use and love them. Vote for your favourite.

This beautiful building was constructed by the Scout group and parents in 1937. Built from reused materials from historic buildings, including timbers from a 16th-century barn in Sussex, stones from the old Houses of Parliament and Waterloo Bridge as well as 12th-century Purbeck flag stones.  

The Endeavour is owned and looked after by the volunteers on the Godstone Scout Group Executive Committee. It is maintained on behalf of the young people so the building can be used weekly for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts meetings, but also the wider community.  

In 2021 the volunteers undertook a £40k project to replace the rear and front windows, which had started to collapse. The work also involved rebuilding the ‘Tudor style’ infill panels below the windows, together with strengthening works the original beams. All money to maintain the building is raised by the volunteers. The project was supported by grant from charitable trusts, online donations and the local community. 

Group Scout Leader Mark Wiles said of their fundraising campaign: “People love the building, either because they remembered going there as a child or send their kids there. We had an amazing response.”  

The building under construction in 1937. Credit: Mark Wiles.