Garthorne Road Nature Reserve Open Days 2026
News
Garthorne Road Nature Reserve Bake-off and Open Day Saturday 17th September 2 – 5pm
The Friends are holding their annual Bake off with prizes and also reserve Open Day come and have a look around to see the wildlife and bring a picnic along if you want. There will be some children activities such as hunting mini beasts as well a Tree Trail sheet as well.
Suggested donation £2
Please note there are no toilets on the site. Sorry No Dogs or BBQ’S please.
The Garthorne Road Nature Reserve is run wholly by volunteers. Any profits or donations are used to maintain or improve the Nature Reserve and provide educational events for the local community. Donations to the reserve is welcomed.
For further information please contact us:
Friends of Garthorne Road Nature Reserve September Conservation workdays
Saturday 10th & 24th September
11:00am – 3:30pm
The Friends of Garthorne Road Nature Reserve are continuing their conservation workdays to maintain and preserve the nature reserve and increase the biodiversity.
About this event
As we draw into Autumn/Winter we start getting busy with important work which will involved tasks such as invasive species control, cutting the butterfly scallops to try and increase the number of butterflies species and coppicing some of the trees. Also will be doing some tree ID training for the volunteers.
If interested please go to the Volunteering workdays page to book your place.
If you have any questions please get in contact the Conservation Co-Ordinator Ernie Thomason at ernestthomason@talktalk.net or garthorne.reserve@gmail.com
Please bring lunch and drinking water and wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and sturdy shoes (preferably steel toe cap boots).
Please note there are no toilets on the site you are welcome to find a bush!
Tickets will be offered on a first come first serve basis. There will be a waitlist so if you book a ticket but something comes up and you can no longer attend please cancel your ticket on Eventbrite so that it will become available for someone else.
We’ll continue to maintain the following precautions:
Volunteer numbers will be limited.
Please do not attend if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been asked to isolate by the NHS Test and Trace.
If you do have Covid-19 symptoms or need to isolate and get tested, please inform us should you test positive after recently attending a volunteer session. We will then inform other attendees (anonymously) and advise/take the necessary safety precautions.
Hand sanitiser will be available.
We will maintain distance during tasks and refreshment breaks as much as possible, unless the specific task at hand requires closer contact, in which case, the use of masks is advised, but is ultimately at individual’s discretion.
Contact with shared items (including tools) should be minimised and where possible,
Many thanks and see you soon!
Ernie (Conservation Co-ordinator)
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LATEST – Lewisham wins highest-ever number of Green Flag Awards
Article from Nature Conservation Lewisham Blog
From the Lewisham Council Website
Lewisham’s parks and green spaces have been awarded their highest-ever number of Green Flags, the award given to the very best green spaces in the UK.
The latest green spaces in Lewisham to be given prestigious Green Flag Community Awards are Garthorne Road and Dacres Wood, managed by Lewisham Council with the help of the Friends groups.
In partnership with local groups Lewisham Council has also successfully retained its three existing Community Green Flags for Grove Park and Devonshire Road nature reserves and Albion Millennium Green, as well as its sixteen Green Flags for other parks and green spaces in the borough.
The Green Flag Community Award recognises quality sites managed by voluntary and community groups. Any green space that is freely accessible to the public is eligible to enter for the annual Green Flag Awards, which are based on a set of robust criteria, including accessibility, community involvement, cleanliness and biodiversity.
Lewisham Council, in partnership with Glendale, manages 47 parks and 15 nature reserves in the borough – each with its own unique character and environment. The last 18 months have seen public green spaces play a vital role for residents as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely. Last year, the Council adopted a new Parks and Open Spaces Strategy, which aims to make the borough’s green spaces even better by improving community involvement, boosting biodiversity and getting residents – including young people – more involved in decision-making.
Cllr Patrick Codd, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said:
“Gaining two more prestigious Community Green Flag awards is fantastic news for Lewisham. This achievement wouldn’t be possible without the huge contribution that Friends and volunteers of our nature reserves make. I would like to thank every single resident and community group involved in this effort for helping to give us all healthier and greener neighbourhoods.
“Our nature reserves are a key part of Lewisham Biodiversity Partnership’s new action plan, which the Council recently endorsed as part of our work to create a greener Lewisham for residents and wildlife. As an inner-city borough, we are very proud of the many nature reserves, parks and green spaces that have brought much needed happiness to our residents during the very challenging times of the pandemic.
“The news that two more nature reserves in Lewisham have achieved the Green Flag Community Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the teams that make the borough’s green spaces sanctuaries that everyone can enjoy.”
Nick Lee, Treasurer of the Friends of Garthorne Road said:
“We are excited that Garthorne Road Nature Reserve has received the Green Flag Award. As volunteers who work to protect and develop it, and open it to others, we are pleased and proud to have received the recognition that the Award brings. We thank Lewisham Borough, the volunteers and committee members for the support that they give us in managing the Reserve.”
Paul Todd, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, said:
“I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making Garthorne Road Nature Reserve and Dacres Wood worthy of a Green Flag Award. To meet the requirements demanded by the scheme is testament to the hard work of the staff and volunteers who do so much to ensure that these two nature reserves have high standards of horticulture, safety and environmental management and are places that support people to live healthy lives.”
Garthorne Road Nature Reserve wins Green Flag Award
Garthorne Road Nature Reserve is pleased to announce and been recognised and awarded as a Green Flag Award Community Winner. This is a key criterion for the Green Flag Community Award as it looks to how well the site relates to and encompasses the local and wider community.
- Welcoming Place
- Healthy, Safe and Secure
- Well maintain and Clean
- Environmental management
- Biodiversity, Landscape and Heritage
- Community Involvement
After 18 months that have seen our parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, the news that Garthorne Road Nature Reserve has achieved the Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the Lewisham Council Conservation team and the reserve’s volunteers in maintaining and open the reserve that make the green space a great space that everyone can enjoy.
The reserve joins Darces Wood in Sydenham as well wider diverse sites as the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, Woodhouse Park in Peterlee and Chiswick Old Cemetery in London.
Annual Bake-off and Cake Sale 2021
Ours Annual Bake-off and Cake sale was once again a success with very interesting entries from an edible flower cake to an Hungarian cheesecake. We had about 120 visitors and raised about £132.25 towards purchasing interpretation boards for the reserve. Which we had two entries an Adult baker and a Junior baker winners.
More updates to follow.
Network Rail and Mitie workday
We was privileged to getting assistance from Network Rail and Mitie employees to clear the historically amount of fly tipped rubbish from behind Beadnell Road houses consisting from garden waste to bedframe to even an old oven and bits of motorbikes. We manage to fill a 10 yard skip which can take about 100 rubbish bags. Also some very angry wasps other wildlife found was several Slow-worms and a new species never recorded on the site Common toad and Sparrowhawk. A big thank-you to the team for all their hard work and Amanda from Network Rail for organising the event.
Common Toad 
Common Toad 
Female Sparrowhawk 
Slow-worm 
Slow-worm 
Guarding the gate 
The poser 
One of a couple of dumped water tanks 
Beadnell Road entrance 
Bagging up old discarded books 
More bagging up 
Digging deep 
Still on guard 
Digging even deeper 
The team
Female Sparrowhawk photo by Ernest Thomason
Family Afternoon
We are opening the reserve for families to enjoy the site wildlife. Please wear a mask at the entrance when queuing and keep 2m apart from other parties.
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
The Reserve is now closed for winter and will reopen in March 2026
The Friends look forward to your visit, offering the public a chance to explore this quiet oasis in Forest Hill and see what has been done to improve the site during the winter shutdown. Bring along a picnic to enjoy.
Our Open Days are on the Third Saturday of each month from March – October.
March 21th
April 18th
May 16th
June 20th – Art in Nature
July 18th
August 15th
September 19th – Annual Bake-off
October 17th
Sorry No Dogs, BBQ’S or cycling allowed on the reserve
Please contact us:
Friends of Garthorne Road Nature Reserve Bake-off 2025 Results
We held our annual event on Saturday, 20th September, inviting members of the public to bake a cake and bring it along to be judged by Arturo. It was a successful day, raising funds for our plans to purchase bench gabions. These are metal cages filled with bricks, tiles, and old pottery, which are excellent for supporting invertebrates.
Livia, 11 receiving award for her unicorn cake which took several hours to bake and decorate 
Judge Arturo presents trophies to the winners of the child cake entries 
Judge Arturo presents trophies to the winners of the adult cake entries 
Some of the cake entries 
More cake entries 
Judge Arturo tasting the cake entries 
Judge Arturo
Last Open day of the year
Last Open day of the year
The ‘Friends’ will be opening the reserve for the last time this year on Saturday 18th before closing for the winter. There will be a self guided tree walk will be available. Bring a picnic and explore the reserve’s many species of wildlife.
Find Us
Sorry No BBQ’S, riding of electric scooters, bikes or dogs allowed in the reserve.
Please use public transport if possible
Nearest Railway station: Honor Oak Park (10 mins walk)
Buses: Honor Oak Park Station: P4 & P12 (10 mins walk)
Brockley Rise: ( Brockley Park) 122 & 171 (7 mins walk)
Forest Hill Fire Station (Stanstead Road) 122 & 185 (7 mins walk)
Garthorne Road was once part of the Great North Wood which used to cover from New Cross to Selhurst which Chris Schuler wrote this book about the history and the people that live in here.
Available from Sandstone Press or any good book shop
Friends of Garthorne Road Nature Reserve Bake-off 2025
Friends of Garthorne Road Nature
Reserve Bake-off 2025
The ‘Friends’ will be holding this annual event. The rest of reserve will also be open to explore and also a children mini beast hunt and a self guided tree walk will be available. Bring a picnic and explore the reserve’s many species of wildlife.
Find us here
Sorry No BBQ’S, riding of electric scooters, bikes or dogs allowed in the reserve.
Please use public transport if possible
Nearest Railway station: Honor Oak Park (10 mins walk)
Buses: Honor Oak Park Station: P4 & P12 (10 mins walk)
Brockley Rise: ( Brockley Park) 122 & 171 (7 mins walk)
Forest Hill Fire Station (Stanstead Road) 122 & 185 (7 mins walk)
Easter Egg Hunt and Reserve Open Day
Come along and support the reserve and bring a picnic and enjoy getting close to nature.
October Open Day
Saturday 19th October
2 -5pm
The Friends of Garthorne Road Nature Reserve are opening the reserve for the last time this year. We will be having a Childrens Mini-beast hunt as well as a self guided tree walk is available. Come and bring a picnic and enjoy the surrounding and the wildlife. Also see your newly planted native hedge.
Sorry No Dogs, Scoters or BBQ’S
Garthorne Road Nature Reserve 