We are the

23rd Poplar

The oldest Scout Group in Tower Hamlets

Bringing   Adventure   
  The Outdoors   
  Life-long Friendships ,
and   Skills for Life .
to Old Ford & Bow since 1915

We offer a range of adventure, activities and new skills to  anyone  aged 6 – 14 who can make a promise to always do their best, no matter who they are.


We meet every Friday during term time at Old Ford Primary School in Bow, E3.  If you’re interested in joining us or finding out more then please get in touch and one of our leaders will contact you.

Ages 6 & 7

Fridays
6:00 - 7:15pm

Ages 8 - 10½ 

Fridays
6:15 - 7:45pm

Ages 10½ - 14

Fridays
6:30 - 8:00pm

Ages 14 - 18

Join as a Young Leader to help build confidence, teamwork & leadership skills.

Find Us

The 23rd Poplar meets every Friday at Old Ford Primary School on the corner of Wrights Road and Allen Road, Bow (E3 5LD).


But we're in Bow...

The group has always met in the Old Ford area: originally at the Methodist Church on Old Ford Road, and at Old Ford Primary School for the last decade.

When we first met in 1915, Poplar was a London borough stretching from Victoria Park down to the Isle of Dogs.

You can find out more about our history in the archives.

Everyday Adventure

As a group we set out to produce lasting memories and experiences that our members wouldn't get anywhere else. 

Our Beavers, Cubs & Scouts get the opportunity to go on a camp or an overnight trip every term, and we have a whole group camp each summer with everyone spending the weekend together and taking part in a range of activities from .

Expeditions

Every few years we also go on a big adventure...

Brownsea Island 2015

To celebrate our 100th birthday, our Cubs and Scouts spent 3 nights camping on the island where Baden Powell ran his first experimental camp in 1907.

Switzerland 2017

August 2017 saw 33 Scouts, Explorers & leaders go to Kandersteg International Scout Centre. Over a week they abseiled, hiked, tobogganed and explored the Swiss Alps. They made friends with Scouts from around the world (and Yorkshire) and took part in local ecology and conservation programmes.

You Shape Logo

Iceland 2020

We asked Scouts where they wanted to go on their next adventure, and based on that feedback Iceland was a close winner, with an expedition to Spain coming second choice.

Unfortunately international travel was not allowed, so we'll be looking to resume our international programme again in the future.


Norway 2023

After voting between Norway or Croatia, 23rd Poplar Scouts & Mustang Explorers decided NORWAY was the winner. 

In the summer holidays of 2023, 22 scouts visited Norway. Cooking & cleaning for themselves and embarking on lots of adventurous activities such as natural rock climbing, white water rafting, and hiking up a 762m mountain!