Credit Arnhel de Serra
Great North Wood
What is the Great North Wood?
South of the River Thames, an ancient landscape of woodland and wooded commons once covered the high ground between Deptford and Selhurst.
The Great North Wood is a sprawling ancient landscape that gradually became fragmented by the development of south London's suburbs – but whose name lives on in districts such as Norwood, Gipsy Hill, Forest Hill and Penge (‘edge of wood’).
Once stretching for several miles between the Thames and Croydon, today the Wood consists of a series of small woodlands, parks, cemeteries, sports grounds, railway embankments and gardens – all of which provide a home for nature within a modern urban landscape.
The Great North Wood now has the potential to grow again, to act as a rich wildlife and natural heritage resource for Londoners, and a more effective ‘green lung’ to clean the air and provide a place for people to relax and enjoy.
There are over 20 woodlands or wooded areas where you can still see green woodpeckers high in the trunks of oak trees and purple hairstreak butterflies floating among the leaves.
How to get involved
The Great North Wood (the wood) has been home to a thriving network of voluntary, charitable and public sector organisations who support conservation and access in the wood’s remnant green spaces.
You can get involved as a volunteer or attend events by looking for opportunities and information on the map below.
![[image description: view of hornbeam leaves in canopy]](/sites/default/files/styles/scaled_8_col_split_desk/public/2021-10/RS998_Hornbeam%20SHW%2023-3-17%20hi-res-1.webp?itok=w85jM4Ek)
In partnership with Southwark Council, the Trust continues its long-term management of Sydenham Hill Wood and Cox’s Walk with weekly volunteering sessions and regular guided walks.
In April 2023, the Trust was awarded a grant of £108,000 to begin a development phase to reunite Sydenham Hill Wood & Dulwich Wood, the two largest connected remnants of the Great North Wood.
Great North Wood partnership
The Great North Wood partnership is a small forum for organisations who have taken part in the previous Heritage Lottery Fund projects. These organisations include ‘friends of’ volunteer groups, local authorities and other charities. The partnership meets at least twice a year to share ideas, training, and to support one another in overcoming challenges around the management of woodland sites in the GNW area.
Membership to the partnership is closed to ensure that the meetings are focused on the relevant sites and historic involvement of previous projects.
Green Recovery Challenge Fund project
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1041 volunteers attended 140 volunteering events between July 2021 and March 2023
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Rare acid grassland habitat recreated at Streatham Common
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Large dew pond restored at Beaulieu Heights
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New paths installed at Sydenham Hill Wood
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Wildflower grasslands re-sown at One Tree Hill
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2 Great North Wood festivals held, attended by 1500 people
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In total, over £250,000 invested in access improvements, events, education, volunteering and staffing
Resources for Great North Wood partners
How to apply for small grants training
As part of the Great North Wood project’s legacy, London Wildlife Trust delivered grants training. The video for the training can be viewed below. The training focuses on how voluntary organisations can apply for small grants to develop a community volunteering project or to improve the site they are supporting.
Watch the how to apply for small grants training video here
