Exploring Nature on Our Doorstep: The Nature Reserves Challenge Walk

As part of this year’s Forest Hill Walking Festival, we took on something a little different: the Nature Reserves Challenge Walk.

On Sunday 8th June, six participants and one volunteer leader set off to explore six local nature reserves in one day, a feat not usually possible as most of these sites are only open to the public once a month, and rarely at the same time.

What made this walk truly special was the collaboration involved. Thanks to support from Lewisham Council and the fantastic work of local Friends groups, each reserve was opened specially for the Forest Hill Society, allowing a unique opportunity to discover the biodiversity right here in Forest Hill and Honor Oak Park.

We gathered at Forest Hill Station at 10am, ready for what was mapped as a six-mile walk, though by the end of the day we’d covered over twelve miles and only finished at around 4pm. More than just a walk, it was a day filled with conversation, learning, and connection with our local green spaces.

Stop 1: Horniman Nature Trail

Just beyond the Horniman Gardens, the Nature Trail offered a peaceful start. Kirsten Walker guided us through this somewhat hidden strip of wildness, pointing out native species and sharing a bit of its history as a remnant of the Crystal Palace High Line. Though only about two-thirds of a mile long, it packs in an impressive variety of plants and wildlife as well as a space for learning.

Learning about the Nature Trail

Stop 2: Devonshire Road Nature Reserve

Next, we climbed over Horniman Drive for sweeping views across London and headed to Devonshire Road Nature Reserve. Nigel Kersey from the Friends group gave us a detailed history of the site, one of several local reserves created in the 1980s thanks to community action. Like many of these reserves, it’s run almost entirely by volunteers. This is the largest of the reserves, and its steep contours run down not only to the modern railway, but also hosted a large section of the old Croydon canal in the early 1800s.

So much to explore at Devonshire Road

Stop 3: Buckthorn Cutting

Book reading at Buckthorne

Setting off across Honor Oak Playing Fields, we arrived at the Buckthorn Cutting Nature Reserve that was in full swing with its own open day when we arrived. Talks on nature conservation, a book launch, children’s music, and food stalls made for a lively visit. We were warmly welcomed and encouraged to join in the day’s festivities, which gave us a real sense of the community spirit driving these spaces. Sadly we couldn’t sit and rest and take part as we were only at the half way point.

Stop 4: Garthorne Road Nature Reserve

Crossing back through Honor Oak Park, we stopped for a picnic lunch at Garthorne Road Nature Reserve. Nick Lee and Ernie Thomason, an expert wildlife guardian of several local reserves, gave us a guided tour of the woodland, but also emphasised the importance of the open meadow spaces. Here we explored the importance of supporting invertebrate life, with butterflies flitting among wildflowers in the dappled sun.

Exploring trees as well as open spaces

Stop 5: Dacres Wood Nature Reserve

Our penultimate stop took us back through Forest Hill all the way to Dacres Wood, where John Farr and others from the Friends group welcomed us. This small reserve has a space that hosts a number of schools and events, but what really sets this reserve apart is its connection to the old Croydon Canal as one of the few spots in the area where remnants of the canal, with water, still exist. This wild pond is a reminder of our area’s layered history, as well as its thriving natural environment.

Exploring the paths of Dacres Wood

Picturesque remnants of the canal

Final Leg: Albion Millennium Green

To wrap up the day, we crossed back across the Sydenham Bridge and passed through Albion Millennium Green, a tranquil spot with its own ties to the former canal as one of the several reservoirs that served it. From there, we made our way back to Forest Hill Station, tired but uplifted by everything we’d seen.

Reflections

The walk may have been long, but was incredibly rewarding. We’re deeply grateful to all the Friends groups and Lewisham Council staff who helped to open these gates, shared their time, and supported this effort. Their ongoing work makes these green spaces not only possible, but vibrant and accessible to the wider community.

We hope to repeat the challenge again as part of next year’s Walking Festival and would love to welcome more walkers to join us next time. 

Until then, please do check out each reserve’s schedule of Open Days. If you haven’t visited your local nature reserve yet, now might be the perfect time.