Tour of the Lesnes Abbey Arboretum

Event Information

In addition to a ruined abbey and ancient hillside woodland, the arboretum at Lesnes Abbey Woods has almost one hundred different varieties of tree from around the world. In this walk we will focus on the area known as the arboretum which was specifically planted with a selection of rare native trees as well as globally sourced exotics.

You will find out all about the trees: where they come from, what makes them unique and how they have impacted our world. It is a relatively easy walk on mown and unmown grass with some moderate grassy slopes. It starts from the paved area outside Chestnut's Kiosk where there are public toilets. It lasts for about 90 minutes.

Why not make a day of it and also go on our woodland walk to discover the ancient woodland and have a look around the ruins of the Augustinian Abbey that was founded in 1178. A Guide Book is available at Chestnut's Kiosk.

Contributors

Lesnes Abbey Woods

Lesnes Abbey Woods is a park in the London Borough of Bexley that contains the ruins of an abbey and an ancient woodland famous for its wild daffodils.

We are the Friends of Lesnes Abbey and Woods, or FOLAW for short, and our aim is to help promote, protect and preserve this historical place. 

We are a non-profit organisation operating with charitable objectives and bound by a constitution.

https://www.friendsoflesnesabbeyandwoods.com

Chris Hawkins
Chris Is a local historian and admirer of trees. He put together the documents used by Bexley Council for their arboretum and runs regular walks at Lesnes Abbey Woods.

Where to meet

Please arrive five minutes before the walk at the paved area outside Chestnut's coffee kiosk at the Lodge at Lesnes Abbey Woods park. 

The Lodge is 10 minutes walk from Abbey Wood station. Lesnes, Abbey, New Rd, London SE2 0AX. 

Use this link on Google Maps for directions to the meeting place https://maps.app.goo.gl/octbdnfBVZWYx7JN9

What to wear

Wear shoes suitable for walking on roughly mown grass with worn patches. We will never be more than 5 to 10 minutes from the starting point, but there is no shelter at Lesnes Abbey Woods so bring rainwear if rain is predicted. If the weather is especially bad or windy we may have to modify or cancel the walk for safety reasons.