Our field meetings programme for 2024 is set out below. To view and print a pdf copy, click here, and here for photographs of some recent and very enjoyable meetings.
Unless otherwise stated, meetings will start at 10.30. Please arrive by 10.15 so that we can make a prompt start. Each meeting will contain a strong educational component to help new or less experienced members. Bring a packed lunch for all-day meetings. Many will be on uneven or wet ground so please ensure that you wear appropriate footwear.
Please note: postcodes below are for general areas only, GR and /// are more precise. With /// take care with plurals
Unless otherwise stated, meetings will start at 10.30. Please arrive by 10.15 so that we can make a prompt start. Each meeting will contain a strong educational component to help new or less experienced members. Bring a packed lunch for all-day meetings. Many will be on uneven or wet ground so please ensure that you wear appropriate footwear.
Please note: postcodes below are for general areas only, GR and /// are more precise. With /// take care with plurals
.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday 13th April
Byfleet Village to Wisley for a morning walk from St. Mary’s Church to River Wey and Wisley Church and circling back. There is off street parking available. Meet at St. Mary’s Church off Church Road.
TQ0626 6043, KT14 7NF, ///drips.nights.pillow
Leader: Richard Jewell
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Monday 22nd April
Croydon, Bethlem Royal Hospital for early spring flora in a variety of habitats in the extensive grounds of the hospital. Joint meeting with the Kent Botanical Recording Group (KBRG). There is free parking along Monks Orchard Road and in neighbouring streets. If using public transport, West Wickham station is a short walk away and there are regular bus services from East Croydon Station and Elmers End tram stop. Meet at the main entrance to the hospital in Monks Orchard Road. Numbers will be limited to six per county. Book your place by contacting Caroline Bateman at [email protected]. Please note start time of 10.45 for 11.00 start.
TQ3737 6649, BR3 3BX, ///canny.pigs.poster
Leaders: Caroline Bateman and Geoffrey Kitchener
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sunday 28th April
Hampton Estate for grassland recording. A day of two halves with the morning session starting at Myrtles Courtyard and then moving on in shared cars to Shoelands Farm Offices car park to record at Polo and Bank Fields. Park and meet at Myrtles Courtyard which can be reached either via Littlewood Road or Suffield Lane by The Tarn (lake) at Cutmill.
SU9047 4622, GU8 6BJ, ///touched.recken.feuds
Leader: Bill Stanworth
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thursday 16th May
West Norwood Cemetery for a joint meeting with South London Botanical Institute (SLBI). This cemetery is one of the Magnificent Seven Victorian cemeteries and is the only one with ancient woodland at its centre. There may be time at the end of the day for a quick visit to the institute, a 15 minute walk away. If coming by car there is some unrestricted parking in Robson Road which runs alongside the cemetery. Meet at West Norwood Station off Hannen Road.
TQ3190 7200, SE27 0DT, ///coherent.diary.begin
Leaders: Amanda Tuke & Geoffrey Norman
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday 25th May
Albury Estate for general recording in damp meadow, open woodland and by river margins. Meet at St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Church, New Road (NOT Church Lane), Albury
TQ0632 4784, GU5 9BL, ///those.swear.club
Leader: Jon Wilson
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 5th June
Pirbright Ranges Deer Enclosure for wet meadow recording including Heath Spotted Orchid and other grassland species. We will walk over Hagthorn Paddock (and possibly Priest Lane Paddock depending on access on the day). Park and meet at western end of Brentmoor Road by Priest Lane.
SU9317 6057, GU24 9ND, ///jams.page.putty
Leaders: Isobel Girvan & Ben Habgood
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thursday 13th June
Dormansland, Hooper’s Farm for survey of species-rich unimproved and semi -improved grassland. Directions: At the traffic lights at Blindley Heath follow signs to Lingfield and the racecourse. After passing the racecourse follow the B2028 (Moor Lane) towards Marsh Green for a couple of miles. Passing a turn to Haxted Mill and Starborough Nursery on your left you will see a post box and water trough filled with flowers on your right which is at the end of the drive to the farm. Follow the tarmac drive until it bears sharp left. Here go straight up the concrete track (not sharp left), then past Steppe Cottage, the old farmhouse (Hoopers) and down into the valley where parking area will be signed.
TQ4258 4275, TN8 5QU, ///mild.excuse.admire
Leaders: Caroline Bateman and Polly Dumbreck
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sunday 16th June
Sheepleas aimed at beginners and new members. A gentle stroll through woodland and flower-rich chalk grassland to learn how to identify many of the common species found there. We will also discuss how to take records. Whilst aimed at beginners, all levels are welcome to join in a relaxed teaching session. Meet at SWT Sheepleas car park behind St Mary’s Church. Please note this is not a full day, 10.30 to 13.00pm
TQ0881 5250, KT24 6AN, ///cheek.hangs.cares
Leaders: To include Isobel Girvan, Caroline Bateman & Jon Wilson
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 19th June
Priest Hill for recording on chalk scrapes. The day will include looking at the colonisation of the chalk scrapes in this SWT reserve since our last visit in 2014. Enter the site via Priest Hill Close, 1km south of NESCOT off the A240 Reigate Road and turn left immediately through the field gate where we shall park.
TQ2269 6098, KT17 3FD, ///drives.linen.took
Leader: Peter Wakeham
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday 29th June
Broadford Meadows for recording unimproved wet/marshy and dry grassland plus some woodland (owned by the National Trust) in this part of the Wey Valley Meadows SSSI. Meet at the National Trust car park at the end of Stonebridge Wharf (off the Horsham Road/A281).
SU9984 4656, GU4 8EH ///solo.rated.doing
Leaders: Bill Stanworth & Holly Stanworth
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday 6th July
Long Bottom and Caesar’s Camp joint meeting with Hampshire Flora Group for heathland recording. Note that it will be quite a long walk of about 4 miles (6½ km) round trip with some steep slopes across heathland and boggy areas. This was last visited in July 2017 with over 200 plants recorded including Lesser Centaury, Dodder, Fringed Water-lily, White Beak-sedge, and Marsh Speedwell. Of particular interest this year will be re-finding Marsh Clubmoss and Ivy-leaved Bellflower. Meet and park in car park next to the Wellington Statue off Claycart Road. Note that there is no access to the car park directly off the A325. Instead, access is via the junction on Bourley Road.
Please note numbers will be limited. Please book your place by contacting Tony Mundell via email at [email protected]
SU8534 5113, GU11 1QB, ///farm.notion.holds
Leaders: Isobel Girvan & Tony Mundell
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday 13th July
Banstead Downs for chalk grassland recording. Use on-street parking on High Down Road, walk south on Sutton Lane to meet on site.
TQ2587 6148, SM7 3RE, ///shed.riders.lucky
Leader: Jon Wilson
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tuesday 30th July
Beddington Farmlands, Hackbridge for recording in a range of habitats including grassland restoration, marshy grassland/wetland edge and industrial/urban. Although potentially of great ecological interest, this site has a chequered industrial past and is very slowly being developed into a nature reserve. Meet at entrance gate on Mile Road if coming by train to Hackbridge. Car park at Pavilion Café in Beddington Park, 15-20 minutes walk away. Please note that site access rules state that long trousers and study footwear must be worn.
TQ2873 6617, SM6 7JU, ///spray.park.spider
Leaders: Claire Million & Charlie Owens
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sunday 25th August
Chobham Common a joint meeting with BSBI for general heathland recording. Join us on a walk around part of Chobham Common lowland heathland that is managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust. We will be checking on Surrey rare species such as Marsh Gentian and other heathland specialist plants, whilst meeting new people and having a lovely day out. All standards of botanists are welcome, including beginners. Terrain will be mostly flat with some slopes. It may be damp underfoot so wellies would be useful or stout shoes. Numbers will be limited. Please book your place by contacting Isobel Girvan via email at [email protected]. On the day the leader can be contacted on 07811 440892. Meet and park in SWT Staple Hill car park.
SU9735 6487, GU24 8TU ///snake.hugs.flames
Leader: Isobel Girvan
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday 5th October
Social: 2pm at Box Hill Village Hall, details to follow.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday 13th April
Byfleet Village to Wisley for a morning walk from St. Mary’s Church to River Wey and Wisley Church and circling back. There is off street parking available. Meet at St. Mary’s Church off Church Road.
TQ0626 6043, KT14 7NF, ///drips.nights.pillow
Leader: Richard Jewell
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Monday 22nd April
Croydon, Bethlem Royal Hospital for early spring flora in a variety of habitats in the extensive grounds of the hospital. Joint meeting with the Kent Botanical Recording Group (KBRG). There is free parking along Monks Orchard Road and in neighbouring streets. If using public transport, West Wickham station is a short walk away and there are regular bus services from East Croydon Station and Elmers End tram stop. Meet at the main entrance to the hospital in Monks Orchard Road. Numbers will be limited to six per county. Book your place by contacting Caroline Bateman at [email protected]. Please note start time of 10.45 for 11.00 start.
TQ3737 6649, BR3 3BX, ///canny.pigs.poster
Leaders: Caroline Bateman and Geoffrey Kitchener
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sunday 28th April
Hampton Estate for grassland recording. A day of two halves with the morning session starting at Myrtles Courtyard and then moving on in shared cars to Shoelands Farm Offices car park to record at Polo and Bank Fields. Park and meet at Myrtles Courtyard which can be reached either via Littlewood Road or Suffield Lane by The Tarn (lake) at Cutmill.
SU9047 4622, GU8 6BJ, ///touched.recken.feuds
Leader: Bill Stanworth
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thursday 16th May
West Norwood Cemetery for a joint meeting with South London Botanical Institute (SLBI). This cemetery is one of the Magnificent Seven Victorian cemeteries and is the only one with ancient woodland at its centre. There may be time at the end of the day for a quick visit to the institute, a 15 minute walk away. If coming by car there is some unrestricted parking in Robson Road which runs alongside the cemetery. Meet at West Norwood Station off Hannen Road.
TQ3190 7200, SE27 0DT, ///coherent.diary.begin
Leaders: Amanda Tuke & Geoffrey Norman
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday 25th May
Albury Estate for general recording in damp meadow, open woodland and by river margins. Meet at St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Church, New Road (NOT Church Lane), Albury
TQ0632 4784, GU5 9BL, ///those.swear.club
Leader: Jon Wilson
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 5th June
Pirbright Ranges Deer Enclosure for wet meadow recording including Heath Spotted Orchid and other grassland species. We will walk over Hagthorn Paddock (and possibly Priest Lane Paddock depending on access on the day). Park and meet at western end of Brentmoor Road by Priest Lane.
SU9317 6057, GU24 9ND, ///jams.page.putty
Leaders: Isobel Girvan & Ben Habgood
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thursday 13th June
Dormansland, Hooper’s Farm for survey of species-rich unimproved and semi -improved grassland. Directions: At the traffic lights at Blindley Heath follow signs to Lingfield and the racecourse. After passing the racecourse follow the B2028 (Moor Lane) towards Marsh Green for a couple of miles. Passing a turn to Haxted Mill and Starborough Nursery on your left you will see a post box and water trough filled with flowers on your right which is at the end of the drive to the farm. Follow the tarmac drive until it bears sharp left. Here go straight up the concrete track (not sharp left), then past Steppe Cottage, the old farmhouse (Hoopers) and down into the valley where parking area will be signed.
TQ4258 4275, TN8 5QU, ///mild.excuse.admire
Leaders: Caroline Bateman and Polly Dumbreck
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sunday 16th June
Sheepleas aimed at beginners and new members. A gentle stroll through woodland and flower-rich chalk grassland to learn how to identify many of the common species found there. We will also discuss how to take records. Whilst aimed at beginners, all levels are welcome to join in a relaxed teaching session. Meet at SWT Sheepleas car park behind St Mary’s Church. Please note this is not a full day, 10.30 to 13.00pm
TQ0881 5250, KT24 6AN, ///cheek.hangs.cares
Leaders: To include Isobel Girvan, Caroline Bateman & Jon Wilson
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 19th June
Priest Hill for recording on chalk scrapes. The day will include looking at the colonisation of the chalk scrapes in this SWT reserve since our last visit in 2014. Enter the site via Priest Hill Close, 1km south of NESCOT off the A240 Reigate Road and turn left immediately through the field gate where we shall park.
TQ2269 6098, KT17 3FD, ///drives.linen.took
Leader: Peter Wakeham
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday 29th June
Broadford Meadows for recording unimproved wet/marshy and dry grassland plus some woodland (owned by the National Trust) in this part of the Wey Valley Meadows SSSI. Meet at the National Trust car park at the end of Stonebridge Wharf (off the Horsham Road/A281).
SU9984 4656, GU4 8EH ///solo.rated.doing
Leaders: Bill Stanworth & Holly Stanworth
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday 6th July
Long Bottom and Caesar’s Camp joint meeting with Hampshire Flora Group for heathland recording. Note that it will be quite a long walk of about 4 miles (6½ km) round trip with some steep slopes across heathland and boggy areas. This was last visited in July 2017 with over 200 plants recorded including Lesser Centaury, Dodder, Fringed Water-lily, White Beak-sedge, and Marsh Speedwell. Of particular interest this year will be re-finding Marsh Clubmoss and Ivy-leaved Bellflower. Meet and park in car park next to the Wellington Statue off Claycart Road. Note that there is no access to the car park directly off the A325. Instead, access is via the junction on Bourley Road.
Please note numbers will be limited. Please book your place by contacting Tony Mundell via email at [email protected]
SU8534 5113, GU11 1QB, ///farm.notion.holds
Leaders: Isobel Girvan & Tony Mundell
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday 13th July
Banstead Downs for chalk grassland recording. Use on-street parking on High Down Road, walk south on Sutton Lane to meet on site.
TQ2587 6148, SM7 3RE, ///shed.riders.lucky
Leader: Jon Wilson
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tuesday 30th July
Beddington Farmlands, Hackbridge for recording in a range of habitats including grassland restoration, marshy grassland/wetland edge and industrial/urban. Although potentially of great ecological interest, this site has a chequered industrial past and is very slowly being developed into a nature reserve. Meet at entrance gate on Mile Road if coming by train to Hackbridge. Car park at Pavilion Café in Beddington Park, 15-20 minutes walk away. Please note that site access rules state that long trousers and study footwear must be worn.
TQ2873 6617, SM6 7JU, ///spray.park.spider
Leaders: Claire Million & Charlie Owens
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sunday 25th August
Chobham Common a joint meeting with BSBI for general heathland recording. Join us on a walk around part of Chobham Common lowland heathland that is managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust. We will be checking on Surrey rare species such as Marsh Gentian and other heathland specialist plants, whilst meeting new people and having a lovely day out. All standards of botanists are welcome, including beginners. Terrain will be mostly flat with some slopes. It may be damp underfoot so wellies would be useful or stout shoes. Numbers will be limited. Please book your place by contacting Isobel Girvan via email at [email protected]. On the day the leader can be contacted on 07811 440892. Meet and park in SWT Staple Hill car park.
SU9735 6487, GU24 8TU ///snake.hugs.flames
Leader: Isobel Girvan
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday 5th October
Social: 2pm at Box Hill Village Hall, details to follow.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
All those attending field meetings do so at their own risk.