Events on our reserve are almost always organised by the Friends Group.

Walks

The Nature Reserve walks start from the Preschool/Scout building at the Holtspur Top Lane end of Cherry Tree Road.  The walks are open to everyone, but, if you are not a member of the Friends, we do ask for a voluntary donation.  However, family membership of the Friends is only £5 per year giving you free access for all your family to all of our walks, so you might consider this instead of making a separate donation for each walk you join.

The walk leader or Friends representative will only refer to some risks that might be encountered during the walk so we request that, before you join the walk, you refer to our Walk Risk Assessment for a full list of risks and recommendations associated with walking around the Reserve.  This document can be accessed  here .

Walks in 2026

All dates and times listed below will be confirmed nearer the date, here, and by emails to members.

TBA :  Spring Walk - guided walk led by TBA

TBA     :  Summer Walk (inc. Butterfly Reserve) - guided walk led by TBA

TBA :  AGM followed at 9:15pm by Bat and Glow-worm walk led by TBA

TBA :  Autumn Walk - guided walk led by TBA

TBA :  Fungus Walk led by TBA

Friends Work Parties in 2025 - 2026

Friends meet in the reserve access off Riding Lane at 10:00 am and continue until 12:00 noon approx.  We recommend that you wear sturdy footwear and leather/gardening gloves whilst working on the Reserve.  We will supply the appropriate personal protective equipment if you use any of our power tools.  We will not be providing refreshments, so please bring your own if you require them.

The work party leader will only refer to some risks that might be encountered during the work party so we request that, before you attend the work party, you refer to our Work Party Risk Assessment for a full list of risks and recommendations associated with the work carried out.  This document can be accessed  here .

Friends Work Party Dates

Sunday 28th September 2025

Sunday 26th October 2025

Sunday 30th  November 2025

Sunday TBA January 2026

Sunday 25th January 2026

Sunday 22nd February 2026

Sunday 29th March 2026

Sunday 26th April 2026    The Annual Cowslip Count 

Work parties will commence again at the end of September 2026

Work to be done during the Friends work parties will be decided according to requirements and in conjunction with work carried out for the Town Council by John Shaw and the Chiltern Rangers CIC.

Chiltern Rangers Work Parties at the Reserve

Chiltern Rangers also run their own work parties in the Reserve and, in some cases, they welcome help from members of the community as well as members of the Reserve.  If you do want to attend one of these work parties, the Rangers request that you wear sturdy footwear and appropriate clothing suitable for outdoors activities and the weather.  Tools appropriate for the work will be provided.

Dates of planned work parties where help is welcomed from members of the community are given below together with a link where you can find more details and can register your intention to attend.

Chiltern Rangers Community Work Party Dates

All dates and times listed below will be confirmed nearer the date, here, and by emails to members.

20/11/25        Alfriston Education Rangers, Beaconsfield School Employability Programme

27/11/25        Alfriston Education Rangers, Holtspur School am.

12/02/26        Alfriston & Stony Dean Habitat Rangers, The Beaconsfield School, Holtspur School pm.

14/07/26        Ranger half day recruit brush cutter volunteers Dogwood brush cut preparation

17/07/26        Ranger Dogwood Cut and Rake invite, Holtspur School

More information about Chiltern Rangers and their work can be found here.