In 1939 evacuation schemes were reviewed and it was decided to establish purpose-built children's camps, or National Camps, for schoolchildren evacuated from cities. Construction began in mid 1939 and about 32 Nationals Camps were built. The camps were located between 30-35 miles from towns or cities to be evacuated. By the end of June 1939 London had been allocated 15 camps, Manchester and Liverpool had 6 camps, Leeds, Bradford and Birmingham had 3 camps each, Newcastle had two camps, and Sheffield, Hull and Portsmouth had one camp each. The camps were built to accommodate approximately 350 children each and consisted of red cedar huts with cedar shingle roofs. (1a)

Dukeshouse Wood Centre has been in use since 1940 and was upgraded in 2008, although the original buildings remain. (1b)