Barnsbury Wood
Barnsbury Wood is a little hidden gem in Islington and the smallest local nature reserve in London!
Barnsbury Wood is open to the public on Tuesdays 2 - 4pm. Any enquiries please contact the Ecology Centre using these contact details:
- Tel: 020 7527 4374
- Email ecologycentre@islington.gov.uk
- Text: 'Greenspace' + your message to 80800
General information
- London’s smallest local nature reserve.
- A delightful hidden woodland with wildlife garden.
- Barnsbury Wood was originally a garden belonging to George Thornhill who built the surrounding houses in the 1840s. The area was eventually abandoned to nature and then became woodland.
- Home to a range of wildlife including long-tailed tit, lesser stag beetle, common toad and the sixteen-spot ladybird.
- Barnsbury Wood is used by Islington’s environmental education staff to run activities for school children.
Opening hours
- Barnsbury Wood is open throughout the year on Tuesdays from 2pm to 4pm.
- From July to the end of September, it is open on Saturdays from 2pm to 4pm. Saturday opening is made possible by volunteers from the local community.
When the wood is closed to the public, it is frequently used by nurseries and schools for environmental education sessions.
Getting there
The entrance to Barnsbury Wood is on Crescent Street, off Huntingdon Street.
Tube station: Caledonian Road
Train station: Caledonian Road & Barnsbury
Buses: 17, 91, 153, 259, 274
Accessibility
There are no steps or slopes at the site, however paths are not surfaced.
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed in Barnsbury Wood.
Getting involved
If you would like to help open Barnsbury Wood during the summer months, please email ecologycentre@islington.gov.uk.
Our volunteer group meets every Thursday from 10am to 3.30pm to carry out work on our three nature reserves. Activities are varied and include cutting meadows, weeding the wildlife garden, coppicing trees, cutting back bramble and pond maintenance. No experience is needed and all tools are provided.
Contact
Gillespie Park Local Nature Reserve
191 Drayton Park
London
N5 1PH
Telephone: 020 7527 4374