Inside the Windsor Great Park lodge on a ‘critical mission’ to inspire the next generation

Hidden among the trees and green space of Windsor Great Park is a charity on a mission to inspire the next generation of leaders.

Cumberland Lodge, built in 17th century and steeped in history, has ushered many a famous face through its doors: from Prime Ministers to anti-fascists and Archbishops.

The educational charity running the lodge – with King Charles III as its patron – is seeking to continue a long-running tradition of promoting conversation and thought.

Its chief executive officer Fergus Drake, appointed late last year, told the Express:

“Our goal is to grow the next generation of ethical youth leaders, building on people like Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan and others who’ve been through the lodge.”

“At a time of rising populism and polarisation, it’s really important that young people can come together, can talk about the critical issues of today.”

The late Archbishop Desmond Tutu won a Nobel Peace Prize for his work to help end apartheid in South Africa, while former UN general secretary Kofi Annan was also a peace prize winner.

Every room in the sprawling manor is itself packed with history, from rare paintings of the Crimean War to grand tapestry of royalty.

The lodge was built after the English Civil War and, following the monarchy’s restoration became a base for Great Park rangers – with its name taken from the then Duke of Cumberland.

The lodge was destroyed in a fire in the late 1800s but rebuilt and later bestowed to the Cumberland Lodge educational charity.

It founded by Amy Buller, author of the 1943 anti-fascist book Darkness over Germany.

Her book delved into the conditions that led to the rise of Nazism in Germany, and how young Germans were lured and radicalised into the extreme right-wing.

She was offered the use of Cumberland Lodge as an educational base by King George VI.

An historic library named after Ms Buller in the lodge remains today.

“It’s a unique environment,” Fergus said. “The history that has gone on here: from fires to conversations around the abdication and the incredible people throughout history.

“There are other great minds that have come here and been nourished and then gone on to shape all our lives in the future.”

He said: “It’s really important that there are places around the UK and the globe where people can come together at a time when I think people are worried about the future.”

The venue plays host to conferences from university students, health experts and businesses leaders – as well as hosting its own events.

Talks this year enlist the expertise of MI6 chief of staff Sir Richard Moore, former British Army chief Lord Dannatt and World Wildlife Federation (WWF) UK head Tanya Steele.

More names are being added to the roster for this year’s lineup.

Walks exploring its Windsor Great Park setting are also on offer as well as murder mystery experiences in partnership with the nearby Windsor Theatre Guild.

Fergus said: “It has been a wonderful place, learning about the history of the lodge, the family atmosphere of our staff here – many of which have been here 30 or 40 years.

“But also in growing the criticality of the lodge’s mission today; growing the next generation of ethical youth leaders.

“I’m thrilled to be here and excited to be building on the shoulders of people who’ve been in my role of last 80 years.”

For more information about Cumberland Lodge and events, visit the charity’s website.