Lesnes Abbey Woods

Woodland Festival & Lesnes Abbey Farmers Market
2025-09-14 10:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | Lesnes Abbey Lodge, New Road, London, London, SE2 0AX, United Kingdom
Woodland Festival is part of the commemoration programme marking 500 years since the dissolution of Lesnes Abbey.
There’s loads to see and do!
A Medieval Grange: jester; cook and herbalist; wool spinners; medieval musicians with period instruments; green woodworkers and a working medieval forge.
Music and Dance: Folk Music; medieval dancing lesson; Morris dancing and some African drumming… and we’ll finish off with a grand procession for everyone to participate in.
Kid’s Favourites: Appearances by some well loved children’s characters… The Snow Sisters; exploratory trails; quizzes; get dressed up for the procession!
Explore the Woods and Nature: Talks; walks; woodland mindfulness; bees; butterflies; ponds and more.
Historical information: Archaeological walk; An exhibition on Lesnes Abbey;
Creativity: An art show; crafting and plenty more to have a go at.
Woodland Crafts: At “The Clearing” join in with creative crafting, woodland relaxation and other fun activities
Popular Farmer’s Market: fabulous food and drink and a special focus on crafts and the environment
This event has been made possible by a grant through the National Lottery Heritage Fund and players of the National Lottery.

Plant Gall Field Recorder Day
2025-09-20 10:00 - 16:00 | London
A plant gall is an abnormal growth on plant tissues caused by organisms like insects, mites, fungi, bacteria, nematodes, or viruses. These growths typically form on leaves, stems, roots, or flowers as a plant’s response to irritation or chemical signals from the invading organism. Galls provide food and shelter for the organism inside. While they may look unusual, most galls are not harmful to the overall health of the plant.
Join like-minded people with an interest in recording wildlife observations for a day identifying and recording plant galls 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 gall expert Tommy Root.

What will the day involve?

Practical experience of finding and identifying plant galls in the field.
Access to a knowledgeable plant gall specialist with the opportunity to discuss identification questions.
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 your lunch and any snacks you will require with you on the day.

Recording London’s Wildlife
All records collected will be added to the LNHS iRecord activity in order to share our findings with the site managers, Greenspace Information for Greater London (GiGL), London Natural History Society (LNHS) and relevant national recording schemes and societies.

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.

Lesnes Abbey Farmers Market
2025-10-12 10:00 - 15:00 | Lesnes Abbey Lodge, New Road, London, London, SE2 0AX, United Kingdom
Lesnes Abbey has its very own monthly farmers market!

This will be on the 2nd Sunday of each month and will feature locally sourced and handmade food, fresh produce, craft ales, as well as art and craft stalls, natural and eco-friendly products.

Grab a coffee from the great Chestnuts kiosk then browse our farmers market stalls such as local butchers, gourmet quiches, fresh bread, handcrafted soy candles, cheeses, preserves, plants, honey, coffee blends and more.

The Friends of Lesnes Abbey and Woods also give free walking tours of the abbey and woods (donations are always welcome)

Lesnes Abbey Lodge is a 10 minute walk from Abbey Wood Train Station. You can get to the site by buses 244, 299 and 311 and many more. There is Gayton Road Car Park 5 minutes walk from the site (£3.10 for 4 hours)

For more information and for stall news go to facebook.com/LesnesAbbeyFarmersMarket

This is event is brought to you by CC Events UK working partnership with Lesnes Abbey Lodge

Re-Style It Re-Use It
2025-10-20 00:00 - 2026-02-23 00:00 | Lesnes Abbey Lodge, New Road, London, London, SE2 0AX, United Kingdom
Join us for our weekly Clothes Repair Workshop 4.15 – 6.15pm

Our workshop is a friendly and practical space dedicated to giving your wardrobe a longer life. Whether it’s a missing button, a small tear, or a worn patch, this workshop is all about repairing and refreshing your clothes so they can be loved and worn again.

It’s not a formal sewing lesson—you won’t be taught how to sew from scratch—but you will pick up useful tips, ideas, and confidence in mending.

This workshop is open to all ages (children accompanied by an adult) and is designed for anyone who wants to make their clothes last longer, reduce waste, and get creative with fabric. All basic materials and equipment will be provided, including needles, thread, scissors, fabric scraps, and iron-on patches. Simply bring along the items you’d like to repair—whether that’s one well-loved piece or a few items you’ve been meaning to fix. You’re also welcome to return each week with new items.

Repairing our clothes is about more than just saving money; it’s an act of sustainability. By mending instead of discarding, we reduce textile waste, cut down on fast fashion consumption, and celebrate the stories our clothes carry. With a little creativity, even the smallest repair can become a unique feature that adds character and charm.

Fungi Field Recorder Day
2025-10-28 10:00 - 16:00 | 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.

The Goblin of Lesnes
2025-10-29 00:00 - 2025-10-31 00:00 | Lesnes Abbey Lodge, New Road, London, London, SE2 0AX, United Kingdom
The Ruined Theatre, the team behind the previous Halloween hits Witches, Revolting Rymes and Hansel and Gretel now bring you another thrilling tale!
The Gobin of Lesnes, a new play by Jordan Paris directed by Nancy Sullivan.
Local girl Eliza has been locked in the tower of Lesnes by the greedy Abbott until she can spin straw into gold….
She can’t….
No one can!
….or can they?
Well certainly no human can… but maybe a goblin?…..
But what price will Eliza be prepared to pay for the Goblins gold.
Join us for this dark tale of the Goblin of Lesnes told during twilight performances with illuminations as part of Bexley’s Night Visions festival.
Sit in the ancient 800 year old walls of Lesnes Abbey Ruins with a backdrop of the ancient woods and be captivated as this reimagined classic is performed by amazing professional actors in this semi-staged reading … There isn’t a more perfect way to get into the spirit of Halloween.
This performances is suitable for all ages but those with tickets must be able to sit for the duration of the performance (1hr) so we recommend 6yrs+.
Dates and Times:
October 29th: 4.45pm
October 30th: 1pm
October 31st: 4.45pm
£6.50 – £9.00

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 Abbey Christmas Market
2025-12-06 11:00 - 16:00 | Lesnes Abbey Lodge, New Road, London, London, SE2 0AX, United Kingdom
Join us at Lesnes Abbey A Christmas Celebration 2025 to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year!
With a fabulous festive Marketplace across 2 gardens with gifts, produce, community stalls and more!! Live Entertainment all day with acts such as W*cked Green Witch and bubble witch sing a long, Rock Choir, Jolly Good Timers trumpet band and more!! Free Christmas make and do area Bauble decoratingWear your Best (or worst) Christmas Jumper for our new competition judged by the Mayor! Festive Street Food vendors,
Bars, cocktails and warming Boozy Baileys! Roasted Chestnuts Bouncy Castles and Games Plus the famous Lesnes Christmas Trail (pre-bookable) Indoor craft market
There will be a children’s Christmas Scavenger Trail at the market (pre bookable)

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
