Discover one of south London’s best kept secrets, the Great North Wood

Discover one of south London’s best kept secrets, the Great North Wood

Daniel Greenwood

The Great North Wood was a vast wooded landscape, which once covered the low hills that rise between Deptford, Streatham, and Croydon. Much of the old Great North Wood was swallowed up by development from the 1850s, but pockets remain, valuable havens for animals, plants, and people.

On Sunday, 9th September, London Wildlife Trust are holding a festival in Sydenham Hill Wood to celebrate the Great North Wood and the wildlife that still thrives in the surviving woodlands and wild spaces.

The Trust’s Great North Wood project, supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund, is raising awareness of this largely forgotten landscape, encouraging people to explore, enjoy and value the natural wealth on their doorsteps.

Take part in wildlife walks, learn how to identify birds by their call, discover the flowers and plants that live in ancient woodlands, and enjoy art activities, a treasure trail, storytelling and land art. Children will love catching insects and bugs and learning what they are from a top expert, and discovering the wildlife which lives in the Dewy pond.

There will also be live music, food and refreshments, traditional woodcraft and more.

The Great North Wood Festival is a chance to discover the nature on your doorstep, and the woodlands that still stand tall in the midst of our capital city.

Sydenham Hill Wood is located between Sydenham Hill and Forest Hill rail stations. It is also close to the Horniman Museum. This free festival takes place between 10.00am and 6.00pm on Sunday, 9th September.