TV adventurer Ben Fogle and author Alastair Humphreys were won over by the diverse nature, wildlife and challenges on offer at Hillingdon Outdoor Activities Centre (HOAC) when they filmed there for the day.
Mr Humphreys- National Geographic's 2012 Adventurer of the Year - was so moved by what he described as the "magical oasis of wilderness" at HOAC that he wrote a blog about how important it is for youngsters and how damaging it will be if HS2 - as is planned - shuts the centre to build the £50billion railway through it.
The centre, in Dews Lane, Harefield, teaches sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and other water sports.
It runs holiday clubs for school children and takes on school group bookings throughout term time letting youngsters take to the water or explore dry land with orienteering, climbing or archery.
HOAC's Challenger Club runs during the summer months to teach people with disabilities the joys of sailing in specially modified boats.
But the activity centre will be forced to close if HS2 goes ahead because of a 3km viaduct that would run through its lake.
The Government and HS2 say they are in talks to find a suitable alternative space for HOAC - but in his blog - written after his visit last Thursday, August 7 - Mr Humphreys argued a strong case for the centre.
"We walked through woodland and maize fields. We mountain biked up and down fantastic singletrack trails," he wrote.
"We canoed past herons and kingfishers as shoals of fish darted through the clean water beneath us. We climbed to the top of a superb climbing wall and looked out over green trees in every direction.
"There were children everywhere, doing summer activity courses. Kids were sailing on the lake, swinging off rope swings, learning how to climb. They were learning much more, of course, as well. A nervous child, pausing half way up a climbing wall, who hears the encouragement of his mates below and then perseveres to the top is a hell of a sight to behold."
A quick glance at his blog tells you the adventurer has cycled the world and walked across India, he has rowed the Atlantic Ocean and canoed down the Yukon River.
So he knows what he is saying when he writes outdoor, adventurous activities produce healthier, more confident, more employable citizens.
He also said he has never had an opinion on HS2 before.
"But now I really am annoyed. Closing Hillingdon Outdoor Activities Centre and concreting over this wonderful wild urban oasis is a terrible thing to do. For that reason today I wanted to highlight the great work the centre is doing and the Stop HS2 website."
Read Alastair Humphreys' blog in full here.
