Friends of Hawkwood Nature Reserve’ was officially formed in May 2007 by a group of volunteers who had already performed much of the maintenance work at the Reserve.
This followed the London Borough of Waltham Forest’s decision to cease using the area as a schools ‘Field Study Centre’.
The Reserve gates will be unlocked prior to 10:00 each morning and close at 6:00 pm each evening during the summer months. During Winter months the Reserve will be locked at 4:00pm. Contact Mike Freeman of the ‘Friends’ group or LBWF Green Spaces if access is needed outside of these hours.
Originally it had been the ornamental garden and pond of a palatial home built by a Banker/Publisher, and as such contains some planting that is unexpected in a woodland setting. The House sadly fell into a state of disrepair, it was demolished in 1951 and now the Greenhouses that replaced it are home to the organic growing group OrganicLea.
Being on the very edge of Epping Forest much wildlife is attracted to the area amongst our occasional visitors we have had Muntjac Deer, Jays, Kingfisher, Heron, Coots, Moorhens, Mallards and many nocturnal animals.
We do hold regular Workdays to keep the Reserve tidy but our overall policy is to let nature take its course so only essential cutting back is undertaken.
We have been awarded consecutive Green Flag Community awards. With continued support from the Borough, TCV and our volunteers we are really pleased with the way that the Reserve has improved. Thanks everyone.
Contact details
Mike Freeman (Chair)
Email: mike@mikeandlesley.co.uk
Tel: 07791 495 712 / 02085 297 488
Hawkwood Nature Reserve
Location
Facilities
You can find out more about Hawkwood Nature Reserve on the GoParksLondon website.
