Garthorne Road Nature Reserve July Open Day
Join us on site for an afternoon of ecological escape, here in the Garthorne Road Nature Reserve, an urban wildlife haven. You’ll be able to see the fruits of the work of our fantastic volunteer team, and witness some of Southeast London’s most biodiverse beauty in its full July bloom!
Please use public transport if possible
Nearest Train Station: Honor Oak Park: London Overground & Southern Rail (10 min walk)
Nearest Bus Stops: Honor Oak Park: P4 & P12 (10 min walk)
Brockley Park (BrockleyRise): 122 & 171 (6 min walk)
Forest Hill Fire Station (Stanstead Road) (6 min walk)
Parking available in nearby streets
Art in Nature Event at Garthorne Road Nature Reserve Saturday 21st June result
We had a great day on Saturday with four artists scattered around Garthorne Road Nature Reserve for the Art in Nature Open Day, attracting plenty of visitors, including some first-timers.
Cassie Stein, a bird artist from Honor Oak Park, also paints the wildlife she cares for in watercolours until they are healthy enough to be released.
Tracey Parsons from Blackheath brought a baby woodpigeon with her to show visitors how she paints wildlife. Using acrylics, she creates paintings of injured animals she cares for until they are fully recovered and ready to be released back into the wild.
Michael Spencer from Honor Oak Park, drawing scenes from the reserve using pastels and graphite.
Joy Heard from Honor Oak Park showcased her functional artwork, repurposing single-use glass bottles into plant containers and other practical items.
Art in Nature Event
Please come along and support these local artists also come and explore the nature reserve and bring a picnic. We also have a self guided tree I.D trail and also a Mini beast hunt for the kids.
Entrance at Beadnell Road end next to alleyway to Garthorne Road
Sorry No Dogs, cycling or E-scooter
There is limited space for cycle parking
Please use public transport if possible or walk
Nearest Railway Station; Honor Oak Park (9 mins), Forest Hill (12 mins)
Buses Honor Oak Park Station P4 & P12 (9 mins), Brockley Park stop (Brockley Rise) 122 & 171, Forest Hill Fire Station: 122 & 185 (7 Mins)
Free parking in nearby roads, please consider the local residents
April Open Day
18th April
2 – 5pm
Explore this hidden green sanctuary at your own pace with a self-guided tree walk,
Suggested Donation: £2
Location Information: Consider using public transportation if possible. There is free parking available on nearby streets. Limited bike parking available
Nearest Railway Station: Southern Rail & London Overground: Honor Oak Park (10-minute walk)
Buses: Honor Oak Park stop :P4 & P12 (10 minute walk) Brockley Park (Brockley Rise) Stop: 122 & 171 Forest Hill Fire Station: 122 & 185
Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday 11th April
2- 4 pm
The Friends is holding an Easter Egg Hunt at Garthorne Road Nature Reserve. Open to all. Just turn up No booking required. Bring a picnic and discover the wildlife. Entry £4 per children
Bikes can be secured but is limited, Please use public transport if possible
Rail: Honor Oak Park Station (Southern & London Overground)
Buses; Honor Oak Park Station: P4 & P12, Brockley Rise: 122,171,172, Stanstead Road (Fire Station) 122 & 185
Entrance of Beadnell Road next to alleyway to Garthorne Road
Sorry no dogs, cycling or E-scoters allowed
March Workday Results
We had another successful workday at Garthorne Road Nature Reserve on Saturday. We cleared several areas of two invasive species: Holm oak (Quercus ilex) which is a native to the Eastern Mediterranean but has been naturalised in the UK. It lends itself well to shaping and is found in parks and gardens. Holm oak is not as valuable to wildlife as native English and sessile oaks, but its catkins provide a source of pollen for bees and other insects, the other species is Wild clematis (Clematis vitalba) also known as Travellers joy. The flowers of this plant are visited by pollinating insects during the day, such as bees as well as hoverflies. Traveller’s joy is also a food plant for moth species such as the pretty chalk carpet moth, Melanthia procellata; the small waved umber, Horisme vitalbata; the small emerald, Hemistola chrysoprasaria, as well as others. The seedheads of this plant also provide a food source for birds, such as goldfinches. Both can hinder the growth of other plants so clearing the area, we hope other plant species will thrive.
If you are interested in getting involved in our conservation work day, please contact as by filling in the form on the main page Garthorne Road Nature Reserve or via one of our social media pages
14th February workday
We had a really successful day at our wok day on Saturday. Thanks to all the volunteers. We tided up the area around the ‘Secret’ pond, digging up the brambles and cutting back invasive species.
We strengthened the dead hedge. We also sowed some ‘wild’ flower seeds. The area should be full of wildlife come spring and summer.
If you are interested in getting involved in our conservation work day, please contact as by filling in the form on the main page Garthorne Road Nature Reserve or via one of our social media pages
First Open day for 2026
Saturday 21st March 2 – 5pm
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,
Suggested Donation: £2
Location Information: Consider using public transportation if possible. There is free parking available on nearby streets. Limited bike parking available
Nearest Railway Station: Southern Rail & London Overground: Honor Oak Park (10-minute walk)
Buses: Honor Oak Park stop :P4 & P12 (10 minute walk) Brockley Park (Brockley Rise) Stop: 122 & 171 Forest Hill Fire Station: 122 & 185
Garthorne Road Nature Reserve Open Days for 2026
Garthorne Road Nature Reserve 