The Friends of Garthorne Road Nature Reserve will be opening the site for the public to explore this hidden oasis of calm in Forest Hill. We will have an information stall and also the children’s can take part in a mini beast hunt and also have a self guided tree walk also plenty of butterflies and spring flowers. Bring a picnic and enjoy the wildlife.
Entrance at north end of Beadnell Road next to alleyway between Garthorne and Beadnell Road.
Sorry no dogs or BBQ’s
Limited bike secure space
Please use public transport if possible
Parking available in nearby roads
Southern Rail/ London Overground: Honor Oak Park (10 mins walk)Buses: Honor Oak Park: P4 & P12 (10 mins walk)Brockley Rise: 122, 171 & 172 (10 mins walk)
International Dawn Chorus Day is the worldwide celebration of nature’s greatest symphony and Garthorne Road Nature Reserve is taking part in this come and join us for a ‘Not so early bird walk around the reserve and listen to the many species seen and heard.
International Dawn Chorus Day is the worldwide celebration of nature’s greatest symphony so come join us for a magical morning at the Garthorne Road Nature Reserve! Experience the beautiful symphony of bird songs as the sun rises. This in person event is a perfect way to start your day surrounded by nature’s music. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to connect with the local wildlife in their natural habitat. Get ready to be serenaded by the dawn chorus at this hidden gem in the heart of the city!
Please be on-time as site is secured and locked. Also wear suitable clothing and footwear has path can become muddy
Bring binoculars if you have them?
If you’re keen on joining Ernie, the chair of the Friends group, go ahead and book below!
Led by Dr.Iain Bolton, this is a great opportunity to see and hear bats at this beautiful site.
Bats use sonar or echolocation to hunt for prey during the night. They send sound out into the world around them. This helps create an aural picture of their surroundings. Each bat has a different call from which they can be identified. We will be using bat detectors to listen to the sounds of these wonderful mammals.
If there is heavy rain or thunderstorms the walk will be cancelled.
Previous walks at have provided sightings of bats, but patience is required in the early stages.
Dr. Iain Bolton
Dr Iain Boulton is an ecologist working for the London Borough of Lambeth. He has been there for almost 23 years. Iain’s responsible for managing, promoting and protecting wildlife and biodiversity in Lambeth, especially in parks and other open spaces.
He has a particular interest in British bats. They are fascinating animals with a very unusual lifestyle. They also act as important ‘biological early warning systems’. These bats tell us about how our environment and theirs are changing. This information could mean a lot for us as humans. We must heed the warning signs and act on them!
Friends of Garthorne Road
The Friends formed in January 2016. They have plenty of plans for the future. These plans include helping the Nature Conservation Team at Lewisham Council manage and open the site on a regular basis. They also help to carry out several surveys (butterfly, wildflower) and lead guided walks. We are also keen for schools to use the site. If you are a school and are keen to get involved, please contact the Friends. They will be capable of help.
If you are interest in joining the Friends Group, please contact the Friends.
This event is free, but donations to the Friends Group to help continue their work on the site are welcome. Donations can be made on the day if you wish.
NB Please wear sensible shoes/outerwear for the weather and walking in the reserve after dark.Please arrive on time as the gates are closed for security purposes.
Please note: We understand that plans can change at short notice. However, this event attracts a lot of people. We always have a waiting list. If you are no longer able to attend, please let us know immediately. We can then offer the place to someone else.
The Friends of Garthorne Road Nature Reserve are excited to open the site for the first time this year, just as the spring flowers begin to bloom and bees and butterflies emerge. Explore this hidden green sanctuary at your own pace with a self-guided tree walk, a children’s bug hunt, and an informative stall.
Suggested Donation: £2
Location Information:
Address: Entrance on Beadnell Road next to alleyway to Garthorne Road, Postcode SE23 1AA
The Friends of Garthorne Road Nature Reserve is opening the reserve for the last time this year as we close over the winter months. Come and have a look at our six new information boards funded partly by the Kenneth White Legacy and The Worshipful Company of Gardeners and also come and explore this green quiet oasis and support us.
We will be also having the usual children’s Mini Beast hunt and also a tree trail will be available.
Suggested Donation £2
Bring a picnic and enjoy the nature listen to the birds and see the bees.
Sorry No Dogs or BBQS allowed
Please use public transport or use a bike we have limited bike secure area
Honor Oak Park Station: London Overground & Southern Rail
Entrance on Beadnell Road next to Garthorne Road alleyway.
Led by Dr. Iain Bolton, this is a great opportunity to see and hear bats at this beautiful site.
Bats use sonar or echolocation to hunt for prey during the night, sending sound out into the world around them to create an aural picture of their surroundings. Each bat has a different call from which they can be identified. We will be using bat detectors to listen to the sounds of these wonderful mammals.
If there is heavy rain or thunderstorms the walk will be cancelled.
Previous walks at have provided sightings of bats, but patience is required in the early stages.
Dr. Iain Bolton
Dr Iain Boulton is an ecologist working for the London Borough of Lambeth, and has been there for almost 23 years. Iain’s responsible for managing, promoting and protecting wildlife and biodiversity in Lambeth, especially in parks and other open spaces.
He has a particular interest in British bats, not just because they are fascinating animals with a very unusual lifestyle, but also because they act as important ‘biological early warning systems’, telling us about how our and their own environment is changing and what it could mean for us as humans – unless we heed the warning signs and act on them!
Friends of Garthorne Road
The Friends formed in January 2016 and have plenty of plans for the future, these include helping the Nature Conservation Team at Lewisham Council manage and open the site on a regular basis. They also help to carry out a number of surveys (butterfly, wildflower) and lead guided walks. We are also keen for schools to use the site and if you are a school and are keen to get involved, please contact the Friends who will be able to help.
If you are interest in joining the Friends Group, please contact the Friends.
Disclaimer: The Friends of Garthorne Road Nature Reserve has NOT organised or take any responsibility for the cancellation or any claims for refunds of this event.
An immersive ambience of sounds and words, found in one of London’s hidden gem’s, Garthorne Nature Reserve. A magical and transformative experience awaits you to connect to nature for a renewed sense of navigating life through our senses.
All ages are welcome – children under 16 years of age go free!
Moving On events fine tune your attention to sensory input in nature. Feel and reconnect to your own body through audio imagery and sounds to ease movement and find dances inspired by what you see and sense. Let nature move you and connect to land and all that grows from it.
The installation is part radio installation and part transmitted through headphones. For that you need to bring your phone and headphones! We will send you the sound files a couple of days prior to the event.
It is an intergenerational project that invites all cultures, genders and abilities to join in. Should you have concerns about navigating natural terrain, please get in touch, we are happy to assist.
We want people to encounter nature and each other on common natural ground to foster a togetherness based on equality and openness that reconnects to nature as something that grows away and back into us, to remember our own nature and how to resource from it to be well.
Before and after
Doors will open at 11am and as soon as people have made their way in, we will gather to begin together.
After the event you are welcome to stay on and we invite you to bring food to picnic and hang out.
Disclaimer: The Friends of Garthorne Road Nature Reserve has NOT organised or take any responsibility for the cancellation or any claims for refunds of this event.
The Friends of Garthorne Road Nature Reserve is opening the reserve for the last time this year as we close over the winter. Come and have a look at our six new information boards funded partly by the Kenneth White Legacy and The Worshipful Company of Gardeners and also come and explore this green quiet oasis and support us.
We will be also having the usual children’s Mini Beast hunt and also a tree trail will be available.
Suggested Donation £2
Bring a picnic and enjoy the nature listen to the birds and see the bees.
Sorry No Dogs or BBQS allowed
Please use public transport or use a bike we have limited bike secure area
Honor Oak Park Station: London Overground & Southern Rail
Entrance on Beadnell Road next to Garthorne Road alleyway.
The Friends of Garthorne Road Nature Reserve is opening the reserve come and have a look at our six new information boards funded partly by the Kenneth White Legacy and The Worshipful Company of Gardeners and also come and explore this green quiet oasis and support us.
We will be also having the usual children’s Mini Beast hunt and also a tree trail will be available.
Suggested Donation £2
Bring a picnic and enjoy the nature listen to the birds and see the bees.
Sorry No Dogs or BBQS allowed
Please use public transport or use a bike we have limited bike secure area
Entrance on Beadnell Road next to Garthorne Road alleyway.
Garthorne Road Nature Reserve 