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  4. Physical activity, parks and trees
  5. Nature reserves

Stay safe in very hot weather

Very hot weather is expected for the next few days. A red heat-health alert (the highest level) is in place for London on Wednesday and Thursday.  

Hot weather can be dangerous and can cause serious illness. Stay safe and look out for others who may be particularly vulnerable to the heat. Read advice on GOV.UK

Cool spaces

There are local cool spaces that are free and open to everyone. Visit them to rest, drink water and stay cool. Find a cool space near you

Access Islington hubs 

North and South Access Islington hubs are closed due to the hot weather. The Central Hub is open for urgent, in-person support, until 4pm today (Wednesday 24 June) but avoid travelling unless it is essential. 

You can still access our services online and you can call us on 020 7527 2000 if you need to speak to someone. 

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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:

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

Email: ecologycentre@islington.gov.uk

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