Fungi Field Recorder Day
2025-10-28 10:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | Lesnes Abbey Lodge, New Road, London, London, SE2 0AX, United Kingdom
Join Dr Mark Spencer to record the fungi of Lesnes Abbey Woods and delve into the fascinating world of mycology.

About this event

Fungi are a diverse group of organisms that include moulds, yeasts, and mushrooms, and are classified in their own kingdom separate from plants and animals. They reproduce by releasing spores and obtain nutrients by breaking down organic matter, often playing a vital role as decomposers in ecosystems. Fungi can be beneficial, such as in food production, medicine (e.g. antibiotics), and nutrient recycling, but some species are harmful, causing diseases in plants, animals, and humans.
Join like-minded people with an interest in recording wildlife observations for a day identifying and recording fungi in an informal environment. Naturalists of all levels (from beginner to expert) will be able to share their experiences with peers and help one another improve their knowledge and build confidence in biological recording, all under the guidance of mycologist Mark Spencer.

What will the day involve?

Practical experience of finding and identifying fungi in the field.
Access to an experienced mycologist and the opportunity to discuss field mycology.
A chance to meet fellow like-minded people from a range of different disciplines.

What do I need to know in advance?

This event is aimed at adults only.
Attendance is free, but booking is essential as spaces are limited.
Fungi recorders of all abilities are welcome.
Identification will take place in the field whenever possible, but some fungi specimens may need to be collected and preserved for accurate identification.
This is not a foraging event. We have a strict no foraging policy on our recording events.
We’ll be outside for the whole day so please bring suitable clothing for all types of weather, as well as your lunch and any snacks you will require with you on the day.

This event is being run as a collaboration between the Biological Recording Company and Lesnes Abbey Woods as part of the Lesnes 500 project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Lost Buildings and Ancients Lives of Lesnes Abbey Talk
2025-11-18 10:00 - 11:30 | Lesnes Abbey Lodge, New Road, London, London, SE2 0AX, United Kingdom
Our resident Archaeologist Anthony Thomas will share his current research delving deep into Lesnes Abbey’s past, reaching back to Prehistoric, Roman and late Saxo-Norman time. Go back in time with Anthony as he shares his findings about how the abbey was laid on top of buildings from earlier periods. Surveys completed 2025 have indicated a number of small stone built platform-floors, which seem to represent a series of muti-period sequences of several industrial style timber-framed and stone building structures associated with external kilns-ovens and other domestic activities.

Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
2025-12-05 12:00 - 18:00 | Lesnes Abbey Lodge, New Road, London, London, SE2 0AX, United Kingdom
Using natural materials weave and create a beautiful Christmas Wreath to hang on your front door or gift as an early Christmas present. You will be the envy of all your neighbours!
The Workshops will take 2 1/2 hours starting at either Noon or 3.30pm
Please bring gardening gloves (Christmas Hats are optional)

Lesnes Christmas Trail
2025-12-06 11:00 - 16:00 | Lesnes Abbey Lodge, New Road, London, London, SE2 0AX, United Kingdom
Our festive trail returns this Christmas to Lesnes Abbey. Solve the trail and win a small prize. It is a great activity to do with the family and to get into the festive spirit. You can also combine this with visiting our Christmas Celebration Market.
There are multiple hour time slots to choose from. Booking in advance is advised.
On the day look out for the grey gazebo (with white Lesnes Abbey logo) in the Christmas Market area opposite Chestnuts Kiosk

Beetle Field Recorder Day
2026-03-24 10:00 - 16:00 | Lesnes Abbey Lodge, New Road, London, London, SE2 0AX, United Kingdom
Join Connor Butler to help record the beetles of Lesnes Abbey Woods

Beetles are vitally important insects that contribute significantly to biodiversity and ecosystem health. Many species help recycle nutrients by breaking down leaf litter and deadwood, while others control pests in gardens and parks, and others are pollinators. London’s brownfield sites, green spaces, and waterways provide refuges for specialist and rare beetles that are declining elsewhere, and the city is also often an entry point for species new to Britain. Recording beetle species enables site managers to identify and protect important habitats and maintain the ecological balance of our green spaces.
On this Field Recorder Day, we invite you to join fellow nature enthusiasts for a day dedicated to finding, identifying, and recording beetles in a relaxed and supportive setting. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced naturalist, this event offers a great opportunity to share knowledge, build confidence in biological recording, and refine your identification skills – all with guidance from beetle specialist Connor Butler.

What will the day involve?

Hands-on experience using different methods to collect and record a variety of beetle families.
Practical training in specimen collection and preservation.
Guidance on identifying beetles in the field and understanding which specimens require further examination under a microscope.
A chance to connect with like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds who share an interest in entomology and wildlife recording.

Archaeology Week Walks Talks and Demonstrations
2026-04-24 00:00 - 2026-04-26 00:00
Between Friday 17 April and Sunday 26 April the Friends of Lesnes Abbey and Woods will be running historical walks, talks and exhibitions to accompany the archaeological digging and tell you all about Lesnes Abbey. Booking is essential please click here to book. There is lots to choose from:-

A special tour of St Johns Church, Erith, where many of the artefacts from Lesnes Abbey reside.
A fascinating tour of the Abbey, where you will learn about it’s history and how it came to be built
Talks in the lodge that focuses on the dissolution of the abbey
An exhibition about the history of Lesnes Abbey in the lodge

In The Clearing on Saturday 25 April Creative Nature HQ are inviting visitors to The Clearing Open Day where you will be able to see demonstrations in the ancient art of casting and copper forming and textile printing with natural dye. No need to book you can just turn up. For information about all their amazing other workshops in The Clearing please click here
You are also welcome to come to the Finds Experience and Trench Tours Thursday – Saturday 16-25 April: Places are limited (first come, first served), turn up at Lesnes Dig site (below Lesnes Lodge)
Finds Experience 14:30 – 16:00 (Lesnes Abbey Lodge) Trench Tour – 16:00 -16:30 Lesnes Dig site (below Lesnes Lodge)

General Field Recorder Day
2026-05-16 10:00 - 16:00 | Lesnes Abbey Lodge, New Road, London, London, SE2 0AX, United Kingdom
Overview
Join us for a General Field Recorder Day at Lesnes Abbey Woods – no taxonomic focus, we will be recording a bit of everything!

Join like-minded people with an interest in recording wildlife observations for a day identifying and recording in an informal environment. Naturalists of all levels (from beginner to expert) will be able to share their experiences with peers and help one another improve their knowledge and build confidence in biological recording.

What will the day involve?

Practical experience of finding and identifying a range of species in the field.
The opportunity to share expertise and teach others.
A chance to meet fellow like-minded people from a range of different disciplines.

What do I need to know in advance?

This event is aimed at adults only.
Attendance is free, but booking is essential as spaces are limited.
Recorders of all abilities are welcome.
Identification will take place in the field whenever possible, but some specimens may need to be collected to be observed in more detail and identified at a later date.
We’ll be outside for the whole day so please bring suitable clothing for the weather, as well as lunch and any snacks you will require with you on the day.

Family Bat Walk
2026-08-26 19:30 - 21:30 | Lesnes Abbey Lodge, New Road, London, London, SE2 0AX, United Kingdom
This event has now SOLD OUT
Join us in the park as it starts to get dark to learn about the nocturnal creatures that live here. For the first part of the walk, everyone will get the chance to use UV torches to find insects, plants and fungi that glow in the dark. Afterwards once the sun has set, we will switch to using bat detectors to find and listen to the bat species that hunt and fly about the park and woods.
Please note that we cannot guarantee the appearance of any animals on this walk and that this event maybe postponed due to bad weather.
Please remember to dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes and bring torches. For this event I am afraid no dogs.
