Hertfordshire & Middlesex Branch
Saving butterflies, moths and our environment
We invite all our Butterfly Conservation members as well as members of the public to our butterfly walks and moth events. We have been reviewing our booking system and although some walks (when organised by a third party) may still require booking through an online booking provider such as Eventbrite, the majority will either ask you to email the walk leader to confirm your attendance or no advance booking will be needed.
The link to the Big City Butterfly Eventbrite booking page is here and booking links and events will be added throughout the summer: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/butterfly-conservation-42542657503
BUTTERFLY WALKS ARE FOR EVERYONE! You most emphatically do NOT have to be an expert to come on a butterfly walk. Butterfly walks can be enjoyed by anyone with any level of knowledge (or none). Photographers, children (with adult supervision), first-time participants, you are ALL welcome. Butterfly Conservation does not ask for any donation or payment to attend their walks; however some of the walks included in this programme when organised by another organisations may request a donation and/or a fee.
Neighbouring branches also have a wide-ranging programme of walks; some are quite close to our branch borders. The full list of Butterfly Conservation events can be viewed on the national website - here
Last updated 25 April 2024
| Date: | Sunday 5 MAY 2024 |
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| Event Title: | Spring butterflies and bluebell walk with the Friends of Cassiobury Park and Watford Borough Council |
| Location: | Whippendell Woods |
| Address and/or grid ref: | Cassiobury Park, Gade Avenue, Watford WD18 7LG. TQ091973 [Landranger Map 166] |
| Time/meeting place: | 14:00 - 16:00 meet just into the park from the entrance opposite Langley Way, WD18 3BD |
| What3words: | https://what3words.com/match.case.bliss |
| Transport & directions: | Cassiobury Park is a 2 minute walk from the Watford Metropolitan line station. Exit the station onto Cassiobury Park Avenue and turn right, after about 150 metres turn left onto Shepherds Road - the park is straight ahead of you. Alternatively Watford Junction (1.3 miles) and Watford High Street (2.1 miles) are the two closest Overground stations. There is one official car park for Cassiobury Park at the end of Gade Avenue near the bottom of Cassiobury Park Avenue (WD18 7LG is the nearest postcode). It should be noted that the car park does get very busy if the weather is good and there is a small charge these days. So best to arrive early to avoid parking problems. There is street parking at weekends along the roads off Langley Way, such as Parkside Drive. |
| Information | There are toilets at the ‘Hub’ although the café in the park can get quite busy therefore it is suggested you bring your own refreshments. |
| Contact details | Peter Fewell ~ 07814 282356 or email: p.fewell@yahoo.com |
| Booking details: | No booking is required |
| Date: | Monday 6 MAY 2024 - NEW |
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| Event Title: | Join us for a bank holiday walk through the Roding Valley Meadows, the largest remaining species-rich water meadow in Essex. This walk will be targeting Green Hairstreak, one of the rarer species in Essex but there should be plenty of other spring butterflies to see. At the invitation of the Cambridgeshire & Essex Branch of Butterfly Conservation. |
| Location: | Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve, Chigwell, Essex, IG7 6BQ |
| Time/meeting place: | 11:00 - 13:00. Please meet in the Grange Farm Centre car park, Grange Farm Lane, Chigwell, IG7 6DP. (If the main car park is full please use the Pelican playground parking located further down Grange Farm Lane.) |
| What3words: | https://w3w.co/heavy.blows.limp |
| Transport & directions: | Nearest Underground stations are either Chigwell or Debden (both Central Line) with approx. 20 minute walk to meeting point. |
| Information | Please note that this walk will only take place if the weather is suitable. It is important that all attendees notify the organiser that they plan to come along because there may be a last minute cancellation or postponement. In that event, the organiser will contact the group by email. |
| Contact details | Ian Watts - see email below for all communications |
| Booking details: | The walk is limited to 15 attendees - please contact Ian Watts ian@ianwatts.co.uk to confirm your place |
| Date: | Saturday 11 MAY 2024 |
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| Event Title: | Spring butterfly walk at Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park with the Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (London Borough of Tower Hamlets) |
| Location: | Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park and Local Nature Reserve |
| Address and/or grid ref: | Soanes Centre, Southern Grove, E3 4PX. TQ367823 [Landranger Map 177] |
| Time/meeting place: | 13:00 - 15:00 The Soanes Centre, on the right as you enter via the main gates on Southern Grove E3 4PX |
| Transport & directions: | Mile End Underground Station (Central, District and Hammersmith and City Lines) is approx. 5 minute walk from the Tube entrance/exit. |
| Information | Weather permitting we should see up to 12 species, including Brimstone, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Orange-Tip, Large, Small and Green-Veined Whites, Speckled Wood and Holly Blue. In poor weather, we'll learn about these butterflies from pictures, and look at caterpillar food plants and nectar plants. Donations will be appreciated. |
| Booking details: | Ticket Tailor booking link |
| Date: | Saturday 11 MAY 2024 |
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| Event Title: | Butterfly Gardening and Identification Workshop - Kensington (a Big City Butterflies event) |
| Location: | St Helen's Church, Kensington |
| Address and/or grid ref: | St Helens Gardens, London W10 6LP |
| Time/meeting place: | 13:00-15:30 |
| Transport & directions: | Nearest Underground Station is Latimer Road (Hammersmith & City/Circle Lines) |
| Information | Join Steve from the Big City Butterflies project to learn how to identify common butterflies and how to create a 'Wild Space' to support butterflies and moths. A Wild Space is one where butterflies and moths can complete their lifecycle. The workshop consists of a 30 minute presentation followed by a guided walk looking at butterfly habitat and idenitfying butterflies at nearby Little Wormwood Scrubs. |
| Booking details: | www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/butterfly-gardening-and-identification-workshop-kensington-tickets-799777836037 |
| Date: | Sunday 12 MAY 2024 |
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| Event Title: | Guided butterfly walk at Hounslow Heath and see spring heathland species - the target is Green Hairstreak and also Small Heath and Small Copper |
| Location: | Hounslow Heath Nature Reserve, nr. Hounslow (London Borough of Hounslow) |
| Address and/or grid ref: | Nearest postcode TW4 6AE. TQ119748 [Landranger Map 176] |
| Time/meeting place: | 14:00 at the Hounslow Heath Car Park, 450 Staines Road, TW4 5RB - approx. 2 hour duration |
| What3words: | https://w3w.co/tables.safely.once |
| Transport & directions: | Nearest underground station is Hounslow West (Piccadilly Line) - 25 minute walk. Local buses stop nearby (Frampton Road Bus Stop) |
| Information | No toilets or refreshments on site. Although the site is relatively flat, walking boots and long trousers are recommended. |
| Contact details | Pete Gore and Malcolm Hull. For enquiries about the walk please contact Malcolm Hull ~ 07768 154324 or email: malcolmhull@hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.uk. |
| Booking details: | No booking required |
| Date: | Saturday 18 MAY 2024 |
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| Event Title: | Guided walk at Bovingdon Brickworks for spring butterflies including Dingy Skipper and day flying moths. For those interested this is also a good site for solitary bees and wasps as well as having a significant array of wildflowers. At the invitation of the Box Moor Trust. |
| Location: | Bovingdon Brickworks |
| Address and/or grid ref: | Carpark off Green Lane, Bovingdon - nearest postcode HP3 0NW. TL007032 [Landranger Map 165] |
| Time/meeting place: | 10:30 - Meet in the site carpark (see directions). Morning walk to finish approx. 13:00. |
| What3words: | https://w3w.co/legend.list.under |
| Transport & directions: | Nearest station is Hemel Hempstead approx. 3 miles (West Midlands Trains from London Euston) - taxi to site would be at least £10. Directions for the Brickworks Wildlife Site: - coming from the M25 leave at J20 onto A41 dual carriageway to Aylesbury. Leave at the next junction at Bourne End. At roundabout, take 2nd exit on to A4251 heading east on London Road towards Boxmoor and Hemel Hempstead. In about 1000 metres at the traffic lights turn right at the Swan Antique Centre on to B4505 / Box Lane. Drive straight on across mini roundabouts and a double roundabout (next to the Half Way House Pub) for a total of 2.7 miles. Then take the main turn on the left to Ley Hill and be ready to turn immediately left again on to Green Lane. In about 200 metres you will see a gateway on the right - hidden in the hedge - where there is small carpark. |
| Information | Most of the site is easy walking but the wilder bits has bramble that needs care to pass. There are a few steep sided dell holes (which do not have to be navigated) so if any children attend they need to be closely supervised. The site can be very muddy after rain so appropriate footwear is advised. |
| Contact details | Malcolm Hull (07768 154324) or email: malcolmhull@hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.uk. The Box Moor Trust reserve the right to cancel the event if weather conditions are considered unfavourable. Booking for this walk is required as numbers will be restricted. A donation when booking will be appreciated to help with the upkeep of the site. |
| Booking details: | https://bookwhen.com/boxmoortrust/e/ev-sugb-20240518103000 |
| Date: | Saturday 18 MAY 2024 |
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| Event Title: | Guided walk for spring butterflies at Shrub Hill Common looking for Dingy Skipper and day flying moths |
| Location: | Shrub Hill Common, Hemel Hempstead |
| Address and/or grid ref: | Varney Road, Hemel Hempstead - nearest postcode HP1 2LR, TL035074 [Landranger Map 165] |
| Time/meeting place: | 14:15 - Meet at Common entrance off Varney Road to finish approx. 16:15. |
| What3words: | https://w3w.co/scar.ideas.globe |
| Transport & directions: | Nearest station is Hemel Hempstead approx. 1.25 miles (West Midlands Trains from London Euston). Directions for Varney Road: coming from the M25, use the left lane to take the A414 slip road to Hemel Hempstead, continue into Hemel Hempstead and after .5 miles turn left onto London Rd/A425; at the roundabout, take the 1st exit and stay on London Rd/A4251; at the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Fishery Rd and then at the next roundabout take the 1st exit onto Northridge Way. Go through 1 roundabout then at the next roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Long Chaulden, after 0.8 miles, and turn right into Varney Road. There will be some on street parking on the right side. |
| Information | Most of the site is easy walking. The site can be very muddy after rain so appropriate footwear is advised. |
| Contact details | Chris Ridley 07463821287 (on the day only) or email: chrisridley57@gmail.com |
| Booking details: | Please email Chris Ridley to reserve your place - numbers will be restricted to 18 people |
| Date: | Saturday 1 JUNE 2024 |
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| Event Title: | Guided butterfly walk at Heartwood Forest - looking for the rare Small Blue butterfly ~ organised by the Woodland Trust. This is a very popular walk and unfortunately places will be limited |
| Location: | Heartwood Forest |
| Address and/or grid ref: | Heartwood Forest, carpark off the B651, Sandridge AL4 9DQ |
| Time/meeting place: | 11:00 - 13:00 |
| What3words: | https://what3words.com/cheat.post.half |
| Transport & directions: | Nearest station St Albans City (Thameslink from London St Pancras Intl.) approx. 2.45 miles. There are two bus services which stop at Sandridge, one from Hitchin to Potters Bar (via St Albans) and one from Hemel Hempstead to Hatfield via Harpenden. Directions from the south. Head north from St Albans along the B651 towards Wheathampstead. Pass through the village of Sandridge along the main road and turn left at the brown road sign for Heartwood Forest (TL172110). Park in the main car park, situated off the B651, (Postcode AL4 9DQ). |
| Information | Guided walk in Heartwood Forest with local butterfly experts Andrew Steele and Malcolm Hull. We will look for a range of species including the rare Small Blue. |
| Contact details | Andrew Steele & Malcolm Hull (07768 154324) or email: malcolmhull@hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.uk |
| Booking details: | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spring-butterfly-walk-at-heartwood-forest-tickets-828920201637 |
| Date: | Saturday 1 JUNE 2024 |
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| Event Title: | Horsenden Festival of Nature '24 |
| Location: | Horsenden Farm |
| Address and/or grid ref: | Horsenden Lane North Perivale, UB6 7RA |
| Time | 11:00 - 17:00 |
| Transport: | Horsenden Farm is close to Perivale Underground Station (Central Line) and the 297 bus route |
| Information | Celebrate, discover and learn about the abundance of nature at Horsenden and enjoy this wonderful green space. Volunteers from the branch will be helping on the sales stand |
| Details | Full details are available here |
Dogs
Dogs are normally welcome on walks but must be kept under control. Any exceptions are shown in the individual event details.
Bad weather
Leaders of Branch-led walks will be at the meeting point whatever the weather, but may cancel the event if conditions are unsuitable. Any exceptions are shown in the individual event details. Other organisations and BC branches have different policies. Please contact the named leader for the walk before travelling if you have any concerns.
Lyme Disease
We recommend that all attendees understand the symptoms of Lyme Disease and take the relevant precautions. For more information visit the branch website -
here
Special needs
Unfortunately, most walks will not be suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs. Please contact the named leader in advance if you have any concerns about accessibility.
What3words
We have tried to include the What3word link for each event. To download the App visit: https://what3words.com/products/what3words-app
Public Transport
We aim to give as much information as possible, although unfortunately some of the Hertfordshire events are not easily accessible by public transport. Train times should be checked, as timetables change and engineering works take place on Saturdays and Sundays. In 2024 industrial action may also affect travel arrangements. We recommend using public transport for all events in London.
If using your car please check you are ULEZ compliant https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone