Barnes Common

Barnes Common We are Barnes Common Limited. Our vision is Conservation, Biodiversity, Wellbeing, Lifelong Learning

Come join us for a fun, free and creative collage workshop focused on understanding and celebrating biodiversity on Mond...
02/06/2026

Come join us for a fun, free and creative collage workshop focused on understanding and celebrating biodiversity on Monday the 15th of June from 6pm.
The Biodiversity Collage is an interactive workshop based on collective intelligence for those wanting to know more about our biodiversity, ecosystem services and how to protect it.
This in-person event will provide all the materials you need to learn about the importance of preserving diverse ecosystems. No prior knowledge is necessary, just bring your enthusiasm!
Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with nature and fellow biodiversity enthusiasts.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/biodiversity-collage-workshop-tickets-1989900185020?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

This time of the year, you can spot mating pairs of Alder Leaf Beetles (Agelastica alni) on alder trees, for example aro...
01/06/2026

This time of the year, you can spot mating pairs of Alder Leaf Beetles (Agelastica alni) on alder trees, for example around Barnes Pond. They are 6mm long, a beautiful, metallic blue in colour with a violet reflection. In some cases, it’s easy tell the sexes apart, since gravid females are massively bloated, with their conspicuous orange abdomen showing. Their abdomen no longer fits under their wing cases (elytra) as it’s swollen from the large amount of eggs they are carrying inside.
This small leaf beetle was thought to be extinct in the UK until it was recorded again in Manchester in 2004. Since then, Alder Leaf Beetles have been recorded all across England. Their larvae look like small black caterpillars and they feed on alder leaves. Although sometimes they can completely skeletonize foliage by devouring the soft tissue between the veins of the leaves, mature trees will re-grow their leaves and don’t seem to be weakened by them.

There are only a handful of tickets left for our morning walk around the Leg o'Mutton nature reserve on Tuesday 2nd June...
29/05/2026

There are only a handful of tickets left for our morning walk around the Leg o'Mutton nature reserve on Tuesday 2nd June, led by Veronica Schroter, local resident and Leg o'Mutton committee member. This old Victorian reservoir by the Thames was decommissioned over 60 years ago, and has been a haven to a wealth of birds and other wildlife. It is a much-loved small local nature reserve, and a real hidden gem so close to Central London. Spring is a lovely time to explore the reserve, walking on the path around the water, under the blossoming trees and listening for bird song, guided by Veronica who is very knowledgeable about the nature reserve and its resident flora and fauna. Booking is essential: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/springtime-walk-around-the-leg-o-mutton-local-nature-reserve-tickets-1988821100449?aff=affiliate

Photo by Andrew Wilson

What a wonderful way to spend a sunny evening! Divya aka took us on a tour of the fruit trees of Barnes. As well as the...
21/05/2026

What a wonderful way to spend a sunny evening! Divya aka took us on a tour of the fruit trees of Barnes. As well as the apples and pears many of us are familiar with, we saw an established kiwi vine with plenty of young fruits. And did you know you can find avocados, figs and even grapefruits ripening in London? Divya encouraged us all to take a moment to look around and discover the amazing fruit trees that are right on our doorstep!

You can book other events in our series of walks, talks and workshops on our website: https://barnescommon.org.uk/events/

Come and meet us at the Richmond CVS Volunteer Fair today (Wednesday 20th May) and find out all about our opportunities!...
20/05/2026

Come and meet us at the Richmond CVS Volunteer Fair today (Wednesday 20th May) and find out all about our opportunities! This year we have our own stall in the main hall area, where you can meet our staff and volunteers for a chat if you’re interested in volunteering with us. Learn a new skill, meet new people, help us carry out our work! The Fair is at the Richmond and Hillcroft Adult and Community College (Richmond TW9 2RE) today 2-6pm and entry is free.

Thank you to everyone who came to our sold-out bat walk last month. As always, it was fascinating to get a glimpse into ...
19/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who came to our sold-out bat walk last month. As always, it was fascinating to get a glimpse into the world of these nocturnal mammals. We had a 2-person BBC Radio 4 crew present from The World Tonight show who chatted to Will Scott-Mends, our Senior Conservation Officer, and some of the participants, including our fantastic volunteer Emma Little, who is a London Bat Group Trustee and Leg o’Mutton committee member.

You can listen to the show on the BBC Sounds website (link below, the bat segment starts at 38:30) and hear what challenges our bats are facing these days and how we can help protect them.

We’ve got four more bat walks this year: this Thursday 21st May, and then one each on the last Thursdays of August, September and October. Last few tickets available for the May session as due to the narrow paths on site, we can only have a limited number of participants.

The World Tonight: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002vngw

Bat Walk tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/evening-bat-walk-at-leg-omutton-tickets-1985823640967?aff=bcsocials

You and your dog are welcome to join our Chair, Mike Hildesley, in a two hour dog-friendly walk around the main areas of...
14/05/2026

You and your dog are welcome to join our Chair, Mike Hildesley, in a two hour dog-friendly walk around the main areas of the Common on Saturday 16th of May. As well as discussing the many benefits of dog walking, Mike will also be pointing out interesting features, about habitats, species and history, as well as discussing the management challenges and opportunities which abound in this historic site, now managed for biodiversity as a Local Nature Reserve, as well as for public amenity.

Our aim is to give you fresh insights and ideas that will make your dog walks even more pleasant in future, whether on the Common or in other open spaces. Please book your ticket on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dog-friendly-nature-walk-on-barnes-common-tickets-1985902817787

Join us at the Barnes Town Team meeting this Wednesday 13 May at 6.30pm at Barnes Green Centre to see the updated propos...
12/05/2026

Join us at the Barnes Town Team meeting this Wednesday 13 May at 6.30pm at Barnes Green Centre to see the updated proposed plans for the regeneration of Vine Road Park/Recreation Ground, which includes a skate park, community hub and new playground and waterplay facilities. There will also be an update on Community BlueScapes projects and the Barnes Community Association’s campaign on buses, about their new Barnes website project, and the work of the Men’s Shed. You do not need to RSVP to this event organised by the BCA, just turn up.

It’s going to be a busy Saturday for Barnes Common with four different activities taking place across the Common and Vin...
12/05/2026

It’s going to be a busy Saturday for Barnes Common with four different activities taking place across the Common and Vine Road Rec! Please do come along to whichever one you find most interesting. From 9:30am, we’ve got our monthly Saturday Conservation Volunteering Session where you can help us make our hedges more resilient - we provide tools, instructions, and biscuits and tea/coffee!
Meanwhile at the Polytunnel in our growing area at Vine Road Rec, our Growers’ Workshop starts at 10am. Find out about growing in small spaces, what plants work well and how you can grow your own food.
Our young nature discoverers are having a Spring Picnic from 10am with our Yaffles Family Nature Club - bring your own drink and snack, and relax on the Common with us! At the same time, our Chair Mike will be leading a Dog Friendly Walk on the Common where you can explore this local nature reserve, learn about its history and challenges, and bring your furry friend along.
Book all events here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/32576892073

Our summer series of walks, talks and workshops kicks off on 20th May, when Divya Hariramani will take us on a 'fruity ...
11/05/2026

Our summer series of walks, talks and workshops kicks off on 20th May, when Divya Hariramani will take us on a 'fruity walk' through Barnes. Divya is a renewable energy and sustainability consultant and is a London National Park City Ranger. She'll be discussing the history of market gardening in the area, highlighting some remarkable and historic fruit trees. If you'd like to learn more about identifying trees, their history and folklore, this is the perfect event for you!
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shared-roots-a-fruity-walk-across-barnes-tickets-1987527231452?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

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Vine Road Pavilion, Vine Road, Barnes
London
SW130NE

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