Tag Archives: walk

Creekside Centre ~ for a mudlarking nature walk!

27 Thursday Dec 2012

Posted by in Family Activities, Free Activities, Lewisham

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creekside centre building deptfordNot far from Greenwich Maritime Museum is Creekside Discovery Centre at Deptford Creek which provides opportunities for individuals to get up close with urban wildlife in a river setting.  Run as a charitable company, Creekside Discovery Centre offers a broad range of activities, mostly focused on exploring the area of Deptford Creek, where the River Ravensbourne reaches the Thames.  Their walks allows participants an opportunity to walk through the muddy banks of the river and see fish, birds, saltwater plants and mammals in their natural environment.

The Centre comprises a purpose built environmental education building from which walking tours depart.  Participants don river waders and depart with a staff member / tour guide for a fun mudlarking style walk.

A little History: Deptford Creek is where the River Ravensbourne flows into the deptford creekRiver Thames.  The river rises at Caeser’s Well in Keston, near Bromley.  Flowing 11 miles, it reaches the Thames here - a place recorded in history for various reasons.  For example on 17-June-1497 the Battle of Deptford Bridge was the final battle in the Cornish Rebellion.  Also, here in 1580 Queen Elizabeth knighted Francis Drake on board the Golden Hind after he returned from circumnavigating the globe.  The Golden Hind remained moored here until it fell into disrepair.

Low Tide Walks:  Perhaps the most compelling activity here is the low-tide walk.  On this walk you are taken into an urban, but wild, river where you can experience both the regions history and its flora & fauna.  These walks usually occur at least creekside centre mud walkonce a month, and advance booking/reservation is highly recommended.  Each walk is about 2 1/2 hours long and led by an experienced conservationist.  You will often see eel, stickleback, flounder, chinese mitten crab, leeches, shrimp and prawn.  In addition, it is common to see birds ranging from herons to cormorants.  Must be 8+ yrs old.  Waders, waterproofs and a walking stick are provided.  It is recommended you wear old clothes as mud stains are hard to remove!  Most walks are on Saturdays. Adults: £10.00, Children: £8.50, Family: £28.00.

Free Events:  In addition to the guided river walks the Centre also hosts various free events.  Check their website to see the upcoming activities that are free.  These are often more traditional walks along the River Ravensbourne. No age restrictions as these do not go into the River.  Expect to get a guided tour that provides insight into local wildlife and history.  These tours are offered through the “Rivers & People Project” whose goal is to connect people with the region’s waterways and to preserve and enhance the interaction of nature with urban life.

For more information on both the ‘River Walks’ and the ‘Rivers & People Project’ and for specific events see: http://www.creeksidecentre.org.uk or @Creekside_Trust

Located at: 14 Creekside, Deptford, SE8 4SA

Closest Transit:  DLR: Deptford Bridge or Greenwich

Photo credit: Creeksidecentre.org.uk

Mudchute Farm and Park ~ country life in the heart of east London.

12 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by in Family Activities, Free Activities, Parks, Tower Hamlets

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Mudchute Farm vistaArguably the largest urban farm in Europe, Mudchute Farm and Park provides 32 acres of open space in the heart of the docklands, providing open space, a farm experience, an equestrian centre,  World War II connections, nature and great views across the city.  Mudchute Park contains a wide range of habitats - including wetlands, woodlands, meadows and fields.  Consequently it offers a great range of biodiversity - both plant and wildlife.

History:  Named ‘Mudchute’ because of the area’s connection to the excavation of Millwall Dock when the excavated soil was literally conveyed here and dumped. As this wasteland became fertile it attracted wildlife and became a place for exploration.  The mudshute farm signMudchute Park & Farm was established by the local community who didn’t want to see this hidden wilderness area developed by the Greater London Authority who wanted to put housing estates here in the mid-1970s.  Their campaign to preserve the space was successful and in 1977 it started to take its current form as the newly formed Mudchute Association forested the land, introduced a city farm, and started to develop infrastructure.

Farm:  The farm houses a collection of British rare breeds with over 200 animals on site.  Visitors will be able to view the rare breeds, as well as other animals, throughout the farm’s barns, enclosures and fields.   For those who really want to get more insight into the workings of the farm consider booking a Farm Tour which is approximately 1 hour long.  The farm is open daily from 8-4 and admission is free.  The park is open all the time. For more information and for details on their special events occuring year round visit:  http://www.mudchute.org/

Equestrian Centre:  The Mudchute Equestrian Centre offers a range of horses and ponies for all abilities.  With an all-weather floodlit riding arena there are year round riding facilities.  There are also jumps and cross-country fences for those riders with interest in learning jumping.   Lessons are available for adults and children (7+) at all skill levels, including beginners. Contact for availability.

Mudchute during WWII:  During WWII, Mudchute had a battery of four anti-aircraft guns installed in an effort to defend the docks. Today, three of these sites are used as animal enclosures.  One site has recently been restored with an authentic anti-aircraft gun installed.  There is a series of displays with photographs, uniforms and memorabilia providing insight into this areas role during the war.

Cafe:  The onsite ‘Mudchute Kitchen’ offers freshly cooked items using seasonal ingredients, many sourced from local Kent farms.  Located in the courtyard, overlooking the horses , it provides a feel of the countryside without leaving the city.  The cafe opens at 9:30 am until 3:30 on weekdays (closed Mon) and 4:30 on weekends.

Located at:  Pier Street, Isle of Dogs, London E14 3HP

Closest Transit:  Crossharbour DLR (not Mudchute) is the closest.

Cockpit Steps ~ a little Grade II listed oddity in London with a ghost story.

10 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by in Free Activities, Royal London, Westminster

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Easily missed, but adjacent to St. James’s Park, Cockpit Steps is a small connecting passageway that links Birdcage Walk with Old Queen Street.  The steps are Grade II listed for their historical significance.  Next time you are in this area, take a little detour over these steps.  When you enter at the Birdcage end and emerge on Old Queen Street you almost feel as if you’ve found a secret neighbourhood.

History:  Cockpits Steps is so named as it is the last remaining part of a long lost Royal cockpit.  Note that there was also a Royal Cockpit Theatre, built as part of Whitehall, that was nearer to Horse Guards and the Banqueting Palace which was a different venue.  The cockpit here was built in the 18th Century for the upper classes to attend cockfights - whether to enter their own birds or just to watch and bet.  By charging a 5 shilling admission price, this cockpit didn’t taking on the rough character many other pits did.  The sport of cockfighting had become popular in Tudor times and had grown to become heavily integrated into English culture.  Rules were created and books were published about the sport.  This Royal cockpit remained popular but was demolished in either 1810 or 1816 (surveys of the time are conflicting).  The curving steps from around it remained.

Ghost Stories:  For what its worth, Cockpit Steps is supposedly haunted by a headless woman.  The story begins in the late 18th Century when a soldier stationed at Horse Guards murders his wife and beheads her.  While trying to hide the body in the lake, he is caught.  The first report was in 1804 when The Times reported that on January 3rd, a sentry, George Jones, with the Coldstream Guards reported sighting a headless lady in a red dress.  The incident ending up being recorded for posterity when he was summoned to testify in front of a magistrate.  Numerous other sightings have been reported.   Even as recently at 1972 the apparition was in the news again when a driver hit a lamp post claiming he swerved to avoid a headless woman in a white blood stained dress.  Surprisingly he was acquitted of dangerous driving!

Located at:  Cockpit Steps (from the north side, enter off Birdcage Walk, just west of Horse Guards Rd - from the south side, enter near the Two Chairmen pub on Old Queen St).

Closest Tube:  St. James’s Park

Rainham Marshes ~ an RSPB Nature Reserve

24 Saturday Nov 2012

Posted by in Family Activities, Havering, Parks, Uncategorized

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There are very few ancient landscapes remaining anywhere in the Greater London area, but Rainham Marshes is one of them.  This landscape was untouched for centuries as it was set aside for a military firing range over 100 years ago.  Consequently the land form was unaltered and much of the natural habitat remains to this day.  The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) acquired responsibility for the land from the Ministry of Defence in 2000.   RSPB then set about transforming it into a useable nature reserve for people to visit.  Officially opened in 2006, Rainham Marshes is now the largest remaining expanse of wetlands bordering the upper reaches of the Thames Estuary.  With approximately 1,015 acres of marshland, this reserve is an excellent place for Londoners who wish to experience nature.  Given that it is only 9 miles east of Canary Wharf, and the Orbit is clearly seen from here, this nature reserve is a stark contrast from the city on the horizon.

There are over 2.5 miles of boardwalk style nature trails making it is easy to get around the reserve.  When visiting you can expect to see breeding wading birds in spring and summer, and large flocks of wild ducks in winter.  Typical birds seen here include the Avocet, Lapwing, Little Egret and Ringed Plover.  Birds of prey, such as the Peregrine, and rare birds are regularly seen here too. Numerous mammals, including a large population of water voles, are found here too.

Visitor Centre:  The visitor centre has large picture-windows that look out across the marshes. Inside the centre are a shop, cafe and childrens play area.   There are also several bird hides within the reserve.

Events:  Special events are scheduled throughout the year with a focus on nature walks and birdwatching walks for novices to experts.  See their website for full details: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/r/rainhammarshes/index.aspx

Hours:  The Reserve is open: 1-Nov to 31-Mar 9:30 am - 4:30 pm and 1-Apr to 31-Oct 9:30 am - 5pm.  Admission fee for non-RSPB members is £3 adult, £1.50 child, £9 family.  RSPB members and Havering residents free.

Nearest Rail: Purfleet (on the C2C line from Fenchurch Street). The reserve is a 15 minute walk from the station following the brown pedestrian signs along the riverside path. Turn right out of the station and then join the path at the Royal Pub. Follow the Riverside path and then cross the Mardyke Bridge to the Visitor Centre.

The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs ~ the first of their kind in the world

18 Sunday Nov 2012

Posted by in Bromley, Family Activities, Free Activities, Parks

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Located in a corner of Crystal Palace Park is a display that was revolutionary and groundbreaking in its day.  In 1854 an exhibition of life size sculptures was unveiled to the public portraying extinct mammals and dinosaurs as they were believed to have looked.  While today this may not seem significant given the prevalance of dinosaur imagery and films such as Jurassic Park, it must be noted that this was the first time in the world that such an attempt had been made.  While the displays are not considered anatomically correct today, they shaped peoples views at that time and they led to a greater desire to visualize the extinct species of the past.  Perhaps because of this exhibit the fascination with dinosaurs started that led to their ubiquitous appearance in modern culture.

In 1852 after the Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace had closed (1851), the land was reshaped into a public park with lakes and ornamental gardens.  The scupltor, Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins, was commissioned to create sculptures to place in the lakes’ islands - initially of extinct mammals but later expanded to include dinosaurs.  He based his creations on then current knowledge.  He received guidance from Richard Owen, a well known Paleontologist.  The dinosaurs were installed on islands that portrayed different eras in history - Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic.  The evolutionary progression illustrated was advanced for its day when you consider that On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin was published several years later.Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins' studio in Sydenha...

As a note of interest, Hawkins went to New York, USA and was commissioned to create a similar installation in Central Park.  Political action stopped the installation and rumor has it the dinosaur models ended up being buried in Central Park.  He then went on to work at the Smithsonian.

As the sculptures fell out of favour, they also fell into disrepair.  In the 1950s they received their first restoration, but also relocation throughout the park.  In 2002 a more complete archival restoration occured and the sculptures were returned to their island homes.  There are currently 15 extinct species on display and they are now Grade I listed.  They have been referenced in plenty of literature ranging from Paul Theroux to Dorothy Sayers.  They can be viewed in the south east corner of Crystal Palace Park.

There is also a museum in the park that provides some history on the exhibit.  See http://www.crystalpalacemuseum.org.uk/ for more information.

The park is open year round during daylight hours.  Admission free.

Located at: Anerley Hill, Crystal Palace, SE19 2BA

Closest rail: Penge West or Crystal Palace (London Overground)

Lavender Pond Nature Park & Reserve

08 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by in Family Activities, Free Activities, Parks, Southwark

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Lavender Pond Nature Park is a small urban oasis providing a haven for wildlife, as well as a mini-rurual escape and an educational resource.  The Nature Park was created in 1981 by Southwark Council and is located in a portion of the old Surrey Commercial Docks.  These docks were once the centre of Britain’s timber trade and Lavender Pond was an expanse of shallow water where timber was floated to prevent it from drying out.  The original entrance was under a moveable bridge on Rotherhithe Street which provided access to small boats.   When the Port of London regulated water levels throughout the docks through the use of a newly built Pump House in the 1920s, the entrance to Lavender Pond was closed off.

Today Lavender Pond reminds the visitor of the typical wetland habitats that were prevalent along the Thames before the development of the river banks from the 16th Century onwards.   This particular section of the Thames - Surrey Commercial Docks - evolved significantly in the 18th and 19th Centuries - with the building of the major docks - Greenland (1703), Russia (1810), Norway (1811), & Canada (1876).  In addition to these key docks three shallow timber ponds were created - known as Acorn (1811), Lavender (1815) and Quebec (1926).  Collectively, most natural waterscapes were lost to development.

Given the importance of the docks, they were heavily damaged in WWII.  Since then the area has gone through various phases of redevelopment and regeneration.  Surrey Docks’ 350 acre expanse officially closed in 1970.  By the 1980s, the Pumphouse was in significant disrepair, and the timber ponds had been mostly filled in.  But then efforts began to restore the area and the Lavender timber pond was restored back to that of a wetland area - with open water, marsh, reed beds etc..

Today Lavender Pond Nature Park covers 2.5 acres with a variety of ecological habitats.  Wooden boardwalks enable visitors to enjoy the park without impacting the ecosystem.

For more information see their website: http://www.urbanecology.org.uk/

Located at: Lavender Road / Salter Road, Rotherhithe SE16 5DZ

Closest tube: Canada Water or Bus 381 or Hilton Docklands Pier (ferry)

Sydenham Hill Wood ~ the only remnant of the ‘Great North Wood’

16 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by in Family Activities, Free Activities, Southwark

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Autumn is a perfect time to explore this lovely piece of woodland and a visit here is a lovely escape from the city.  It is arguably the closest pieces of ancient British woodland to the centre of London and for this reason, along with its natural beauty, should be considered for an outing.

In the 13th Century the Great North Wood (located to the south east of London) was over 800 acres and aside from being a food source, it became a vital supplier of timber for the Royal Dockyards at Deptford.  Over the years the woods were reduced in size through development.  While the accessible portion is about 23 acres in size, the Sydenham Hill Wood is adjoined by the Dulwich Wood - which doubles the remnant’s size.  While Dulwich Wood is privately owned by the Dulwich Estate it is generally open (though can be locked).  Sydenham Hill Wood is always open.

There are over 200 species of trees and wild plants, along with plenty of wildlife.  Some areas are traditional ancient English woodland - mostly comprising Oak and Hornbeam trees.  Other areas have newer varieties present that have seeded over the years from the nearby Victorian estates - including a Cedar of Lebanon and a Monkey Puzzle tree.  A few Victorian architectural relics can also be found in the wood left over from the estates that were developed here in the 19th Century.  The relocation of the Crystal Palace in 1854 caused the Dulwich Estate to seek new sources of revenue - which it did through land development.  In addition, a rail line was built through the woods to connect passengers to the new location of the Crystal Palace, but after the Palace burned down in the 1930s, the demand for the rail service declined and was ultimately abandoned and closed in 1954. The remains of the Nunhead-to-Crystal Palace rail line are still here in the form of a raised walking track, raised bridge and a tunnel (that is now home to the woolly long-eared bat - one of five species of bat that live in the wood).  The footbridge at the north end of the park is the ‘Cox’s Lane’ bridge from which Camille Pisarro painted his famous painting - “Lordship Lane Station, Dulwich” - which hangs in the Courtauld Institute of art.  This is the same railway track that is used for the walking trail at the nearby Horniman Museum.

The ponds in these woods are fed by the ‘Ambrook’, which is a mostly underground stream and lost tributary to the mythic Effra River that once flowed to the Thames.  As a side note there are plans afoot to find the source of the Ambrook and restore it to an above ground stream / waterway if possible.

Adjacent to the wood is a golf course which at one stage was farmland.  In 1732 Francis Cox, the publican of the nearby Green Man Public House built ‘Cox’s Walk’ - a wonderful oak-tree lined walkway - to facilitate easier access to his business for people from Sydenham Wells.  The walk is the entry to the woods when accessing from the north at the corner of Dulwich Common road and Lordship Lane - it is from here that you can walk the bridge Pisarro painted from.

The wood is managed by the London Wildlife Trust and have been designated as a local nature reserve since 1982. On their website they have four seasonal walking trail maps.  If you are going to visit I recommend you print out the map for the correct season - it will make your visit more enjoyable:

Location & Closest Rail: Sydenham Hill Rail (Southeastern from Victoria) for Crescent Wood Road entrance - south end or Forest Hill Rail (Overground line from Highbury/Islington or Southern Rail from London Bridge) for Cox’s Walk entrance - north end.

Bridge & Trail Photos courtesy of John Saville.

Merton Abbey Mills ~ a great excursion for arts, shopping, eating and strolling

01 Monday Oct 2012

Posted by in Family Activities, Free Activities, Historic Buildings, Merton, Street Markets

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A short tube ride takes you to this Arts & Crafts community on the river Wandle where there is daily shopping & dining, a bustling weekend market and various activities throughout the year - all in a picturesque historical setting.

Along this stretch of the River Wandle there used to be many water wheels that supported a thriving weavers community.  William Morris wove his fabrics here back in the 1880s & onwards.  Liberty & Co arrived in the late 19th Century also, but by the 1940s had taken over most of the buildings in this area.  During WW II part of the complex was used to manufacture guns for the Bristol Blenheim airplanes.  By the 1970s Liberty & Co moved on and the buildings fell empty until 1989 when it was converted into this now thriving complex.

Weekday Shopping, Dining & Events:  There are some events during the week (check their website for details: www.mertonabbeymills.org.uk ) and all the shops are open daily.  In addition there are plenty of eating options, ranging from the William Morris Pub to tea shops to the Watermill Restaurant & Grill (any many others). During the summer (July-August) there is two month long festival of music and drama known as Abbeyfest.  There are also walking trails along the River Wandle.

Weekends & The Market:  On weekends there is a market from 10 - 5 which has an emphasis on arts, jewellery, books and furniture. Most weekends there are many activities - including live music, children’s activities, craft classes and arts demonstrations. There are regular shows for both children and adults in The Colour House Theatre.  The restored waterwheel drives a pottery wheel in the Wheelhouse - with relevant hands on classes available for all.

The Abbey & the Area’s history:  Merton Abbey Mills takes part of its name from Merton Priory - an Augustinian Priory built in the early 12th century. Up to Henry VIII’s dissolution the Priory owned much of the surrounding land.  In Roman times the area around the river Wandle was settled because of the easy fording of the river.  By 1600, textile mills were attracted to the River Wandle because of the special quality of its water, a chalkstream ideally suited to the washing, dyeing and printing of textiles. By the start of the 19th Century, there were 100 water-wheel mills and over a thousand people employed by the print works or related businesses.  Today only 4 wheel mills survive: Grove Mill Carshalton, The Snuff Mill, Ravensbury Mill at Morden, and the wheel at Merton Abbey Mills - which is the only one fully restored and working.

The Colour House Theatre (400 yrs old) is the site’s most ancient building and likely the only remaining part of the medieval Merton Priory. Liberty’s used it to mix their dyes for silk printing, hence its name but since 1995 it is now a miniature theatre, with shows every weekend.

Located at: Merantun Way, Wimbledon, SW19 2RD

Closest tube: Colliers Wood (Northern Line)

Valentine’s Mansion, Gardens and Park

26 Wednesday Sep 2012

Posted by in Artistic Venues, Gardens, Historic Buildings, Museums (Historical), Parks, Redbridge

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Within a short tube or rail ride from central London, you can escape to a country home in magnificent gardens and parkland.  With a wide range of activities, and none of the crowds of better known London stately homes and parks, this is worth a trip.

The House: The house (Grade II) was built in 1696 for Elizabeth Tillotson after her husband, the Archbishop of Canterbury, died.  Valentines has changed hands many times since then.  In the 1720s, a city merchant and banker bought the estate and created the  many of the garden features, included the walled gardens.  In the 1760s, another owner modified the appearance of the home to create its current Georgian look.  The last private owner died in 1906, and the property was acquired by the local Council in 1912.  Used for various public purposes over the years (wartime refugee camp, hospital, and council housing).  By the 1980s it fell into disuse and through much of the 90s and early 2000s it was essentially abandoned and empty.  Tremendous expenditures from Redbridge council and Heritage Lottery fund have transformed Valentine’s Mansion and its grounds to the current venue that it is - one that offer both a historical perspective, but also contemporary functionality.  Within the home there are Georgian rooms to explore and a wonderful Victorian kitchen has been recreated.  The top floor of Valentine’s Mansion has been converted to artists’ studios which supports the focus on art exhibits and art related special events held within the mansion (map image from www.valentinesmansion.com ). 

The Gardens: The gardens are also Grade II listed.  They include an historic kitchen garden, old English walled gardens and the Victorian rose garden.  In the expansive park grounds beyond the house’s gardens, there is a ’Long Water’ canal, rococo grottoes and expansive walking trails. Valentine’s gardens also provide a setting for events throughout the year, from open-air theatre to farmers’ markets. Within the historic kitchen garden is the Cottager’s Cafe - open from 10-6 (or sunset if earlier) - offering light food and drinks.

Special Events:  Regardless of the season, there are special events throughout the year.  They range from music and art festivals, to guided tours of the house and gardens, to farmers’ markets and to childrens activities.

The Park and Gardens are open daily year round, and the Mansion opens on Tuesdays & Wednesdays (10am to 5pm), and Sundays (11am to 4pm).  Admission is free.  See their website for more details and specific event information: www.valentinesmansion.com

Located at: Emerson Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 4XA

Closest tube:  Gants Hill (Central Line) or Rail: Ilford Stn (15 mins from Liverpool St)

Highgate Cemetery & Nature Reserve

19 Sunday Aug 2012

Posted by in Camden, Famous People, Haringey, Islington

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In north London, Highgate Cemetery is both a resting place for over 170,000 in 53,000 graves, but it is also a significant nature reserve.  Those resting here range from Karl Marx to George Eliot to Charles Dickens’ family.  More recently Alexander Litvinenko was buried here - in a lead coffin to stop his radioactive remains from harming anybody else!  Other notable burials include many actors (including Ralph Richardson), authors, and many artists including Topolski and Lucien Freud.  The cemetery is divided into ‘East’ and ‘West’.  The East still conducts burials and is open for self-guided map tours while the West requires a tour guide. Tour hours and availability vary a lot, so check their website before going: www.highgate-cemetery.org

The West Cemetery opened in 1839 and contains grand sweeps of mausoleums known as the Circle of Lebanon and the Egyptian Walk. The East Cemetery was added in 1854 and contains many small paths to explore, weathered tombs, dark canopies of trees, and ivy covered memorials.  The visual look of Highgate has influenced many individuals perceptions of what a rustic cemetery should look like as it has appeared in many films and photographs given its gothic aesthetic.

Highgate’s history resulted from London’s rapid population growth in the early 1800s.  At that time, only one million people lived in London, but the population was growing rapidly and Parliament passed a statute to create seven new private cemeteries in the countryside to handle the growing need.  These cemeteries were Kensal Green (1833), West Norwood (1836), Highgate (1839), Abney Park (1840), Brompton (1840), Nunhead (1840) and Tower Hamlets (1841).

Highgate Cemetery started as 17 acres of land from the former Ashurst House - with 15 acres for members of the Church of England and 2 acres for ‘dissenters’.  Chapels for each parcel were housed within one Tudor-style building.  Over the next twenty years became one of the capital’s most fashionable cemeteries.  In 1854 the it was so profitable that it was extended by 20 acres on the other side of its Swain’s Lane site. This ”East” cemetery was opened in 1856.  A tunnel beneath Swain’s Lane connected the new ground with the Church of England chapel in the older (West) side.  With the aid of a hydraulic lift, coffins would descend into the tunnel and remain on cemetery ground for their journey to the other side.  Unarguably, Karl Marx (1883) is the most famous resident of Highgate Cemetery in the East Cemetery and it is likely the most visited grave in London.  Over the years, the families owning burial rights died out, and cheaper alternatives became available.  After WWII the cemetery was neglected and fell into disrepair.  By 1975 the operator ran out of funds and closed the gates.  A non-profit group - The Friends of Highgate Cemetery - formed that same year to save the cemetery for grave owners, public benefit and future generations.  Since then years of restoration and conservation work has been carried out on the burial sites, terraces and stonework.

Because of the years of neglect the land became a haven for wildlife and a place of unique flora and fauna.  But with the attention now afforded it the cemetery has achieved a unique balance between being a place of remembrance and natural beauty.  In 1987, the Cemetery was added to the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest (upgraded to Grade I in 2009).  Wild flowers, ferns and mosses can be seen everywhere at most times of the year, and over forty species of birdlife frequent the cemetery – many of those nesting here year after year - including owls and woodpeckers.  It is also home to many foxes and badgers, and periodic evening walks occur to view the resident bats. In spring/summer, 20 species of butterfly can be seen, including the unique Holly Blue.

Located at: Swains Lane, Highgate, N6 6PJ

Closest tube: Archway

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