About

Join local conservation charity Barnes Common for an evening nature walk led by our Chair, Mike Hildesley. You will enjoy Mike's enthusiastic and knowledgeable talk, with many anecdotes and facts about the history and natural history of Barnes Common.

We will explore the acid grassland on Mill Hill, a rare and threatened habitat which is the focus of our upcoming grassland restoration campaign in April.

Lowland Acid Grassland supports up to 25 plant species per square metre. On Barnes Common, this subtle and captivating carpet of plants overlies thin, low-nutrient, free-draining soils that have evolved on the underlying gravels and sands from the terraces of the River Thames. The light, dry soil here provides a perfect habitat for mining bees, wasps and other burrowing insects. Butterflies also benefit from the open, sunny space.

This walk will last approximately two hours and will start and finish by Barnes Green pond.

This walk takes place outdoors and as such please dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy footwear. If the weather is warm, you may wish to bring a bottle of water.

Everyone is welcome on this walk. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Please meet at Barnes Green Pond, outside the OSO.