Borders Friends of Nature

01/11/2026

Friends of Nature (NIVON) Holland...near Deventer.

Inspiring! Children everywhere all having fun, but silence between 10pm and 8am. 🙂

Stayed now in over half of the 14 houses in Holland, all run by Volunteers and so welcoming. Of the 35k members some 5k are Active Volunteers!. A couple staying gave me coffee this morning and explained the low down on how FoN is all about sharing, cooperation and respecting nature. "The youngsters need to know this...they are the future!", they commented.

All the Dutch houses we have stayed at offer this welcoming approach and a fabulous base from which to explore the local area. Frans and Marjan are both seasoned volunteer wardens and often offer 6 or more weeks of wardening each year at ABK House plus also giving time with ongoing chores such as deep cleaning the building twice per year and regular gardening/grounds maintenance. NIVON are always looking for new volunteers so if you are interested make contact as below!

Interesting in that Dutch totally self-financed, no grants or external funding.

Thank You Frans and Marjan for a lovely stay and to all the volunteers at NIVON who make the houses possible.

https://nivon.nl/accommodaties/
https://www.facebook.com/nivon.nl

Pics below 👇

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14/08/2026

in the spotlight!

Hidden among the trees, surrounded by peace and nature ✨Welcome to the Netherlands!

Klein Morgenrood is a warm and welcoming vacation home belonging to Nivon Natuurvrienden tucked away on the edge of the campground; a perfect retreat for families, friends, hikers, and nature lovers looking to slow down and reconnect. 🏡🌲

Recently renovated with care, the house now combines modern comfort with the cozy spirit of a true Naturefriends escape and all run by a dedicated band of volunteers! :) . Bright living spaces, new bathrooms, and a private terrace create the ideal setting for shared meals, long conversations, and quiet mornings in the fresh air. ☀️

🙌Highlights & Facilities
✔ Space for up to 10 guests + extra beds
✔ Fully equipped kitchen & spacious living room
✔ Two showers & two bathrooms
✔ Private terrace surrounded by greenery
✔ Additional campsites available nearby
✔ Self-catering comfort with everything you need

With freshly pruned trees bringing more light into the living room and nature all around, Klein Morgenrood is made for simple living, outdoor adventures, and unforgettable moments together. 💚

More information: https://morgenrood.nivon.nl/accommodatie/kleinmorgenrood/
Scheibaan 15
5062 TM Oisterwijk

You find all our houses on the online map: www.friendsofnaturehouses.net

📸Nivon /Klein Morgenrood

06/08/2026

Puttenham Barn Bunkhouse – Weekend Walk 5-6 September 2026

With one night’s accommodation at our lovely Barn on the Saturday night and meals included (homecooked evening meal, continental breakfast and Sunday packed lunch), we are offering a wonderful weekend of walking led by our knowledgeable guides in early September.

The walk will start at Farnham Station on Saturday 5 September at 10 am and finish at Guildford Station on Sunday 6 September by 3 pm, wending its way along the North Downs Way and passing a host of delights in the Surrey countryside! The total length of the walk will be approximately 17 miles, split over the two days.

We have a special saving for our supporters too. Quote code "BARNWALK10" at the booking checkout and receive a 10% discount.

At a cost from £64 with supporters discount this is great value for money and as we are limiting this offer to just 10 spaces (the maximum sleeping capacity of the Barn’s dormitory plus our guides), early bookings are recommended.

For further information, including a map showing the planned route, and to make a booking please go to our website at:
puttenhambarn.uk/walks

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30/07/2026

🌳 5,000 trees planted — now we need your help to keep them alive! 🌱

The Naturefriends of Togo have successfully planted 5,000 trees in Kpalimé City Park, creating the foundations of a future urban forest that will provide shade, support biodiversity and offer a valuable green space for the local community.

But planting is only the beginning. 💚

The young trees now need regular maintenance and protection. Due to exceptionally heavy rainfall, vegetation is growing rapidly and could overtake the young trees. Drainage ditches also need to be maintained to protect the trees’ roots from excess water.

Maintenance work is currently carried out every two weeks — with additional costs of around €120 per month.

👉 With a donation of €120, you can support one month of tree maintenance and help protect this young urban forest!

💚 Donate now and support the long-term care of the trees in Kpalimé City Park.

https://climatefund.nf-int.org/en/news/help-preserve-the-young-trees-in-kpalime-city-park/

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1074797991879213

📹 Naturefriends Togo edited by NFI

25/07/2026

Tanners Hatch Hostel - reopening soon!

The lease for much loved Tanners Hatch in the Surrey Hills has been taken on by a new community group and plans to reopen shortly.

Previously leased by the YHA from National Trust since the mid 1940's, this iconic building has been a favourite 'escape' for those wanting to recharge their batteries being in a beautiful woodland setting and involving a walk of approximately 1km on foot! 🙂

Details: www.tannershatch.org and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572132276859

They are currently looking for Volunteer Wardens and suspect volunteers for work parties... please get in touch via the links above.

Great to see another hostel saved from the YHA's seemingly endless ongoing closure programme. It will be good if they can forge links with surrounding houses such as Puttenham https://friendsofnature.org.uk/houses/puttenham , being only circa 35 miles apart... scope for inter-site cycle and walking routes in the future?

Small hostels, offering basic accommodation for walkers, cyclists, those on public transport and exploring nature, is surely what our movement is all about?

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N.B. All pics courtesy of Tanners Hatch website/page

19/03/2026

England Coast Path completed 2026! 👏🐚🌺🎂🎉

Great news in that final links in the 2700 mile (4345 km) coast path around England are completed. This follows the opening of the Wales Coastal Path which was finished back in 2012.

A visionary project making sure all the stages link up... the ultimate in 'soft tourism' in encouraging people to leave their cars behind, enjoy nature and health, contribute to local economy. Whether you walk for a few hours, a day or several weeks... the choice is yours! 🙂

Links: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking-hub/king-charles-iii-england-coast-path and https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/england-coast-path

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01/03/2026

Welcome To My Garden (WTMG)...
camping places for cyclists, walkers and those travelling by public transport

Several of our members have joined this Belgian initiative which encourages 'slow travel'.

Post below copied from their fb page: https://www.facebook.com/Welcome2mygarden/

From just one garden in 2020 to… a community all over Europe today! 🏕️💚

Every time we look at the WTMG map, we’re amazed by how the WTMG hospitality keeps spreading. This summer, we received pictures from all across Europe - and it’s just incredible to see!

Thank you to all the fantastic WTMG hosts for opening your garden to slow travellers! 🫶

To explore the WTMG map: https://welcometomygarden.org/explore

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27/02/2026

Heading to France in 2026...?

Check-out the new Friends of Nature/Amis de la Nature website which now includes a major English option: https://amis-nature.fr/en/home-page/

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Our accommodation Les Amis de la Nature offers social tourism accommodation in a natural environment, managed by volunteers. The cost of an overnight stay is affordable for all budgets. The accommodations are all different, but the welcome is always warm. Guests prepare their own meals using the equ...