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Crossness Nature Reserve

A haven for rare species, Crossness Nature Reserve is the perfect place to find your wild.

  • Crossness has an impressive variety of rare species – from birds to bees
  • It’s a rare water vole hotspot
  • Includes a protected area for wildlife, open to members only
  • A great place to get involved and make a positive difference
  • Within the protected area, you’ll find a two-storey bird hide for spotting wildlife
An image showing live wild with thames on the left with boot tracks and a scene of green grassland and trees with water in the distance under a blue sky.

Become a member

Once you’ve joined, you’ll gain access to the protected area and be able to take part in special events including pond dipping, mini-beast hunting, bat walks, butterfly walks, birdsong walks and wildflower walks.

There’s also the chance to join us for volunteering activities to help protect this special place. And you'll receive e-newsletters and regular information about wildlife sightings.

Become a member 

Check our membership terms and conditions.

What to see

Brilliant birds
Discover an oasis for wildlife nestled on the riverside. Bird watchers grab your binoculars, and be on the lookout for waders, wildfowl, barn owls, as well as smaller winged visitors.

Wonderful wildlife
You might also spot England’s rarest bumblebee, the shrill carder bee, as well as the scarce brown-banded carder bee and a host of butterflies, dragonflies and other fascinating minibeasts. Keep an eye out for some of Britain’s shyest creatures, from mammals to reptiles and amphibians.

A montage of a bird with red feathers on its head, a scene of a pond, and a water vole.

A scene of the river with a walkway, a bee on a flower, a bird swooping and a bird sitting on a signpost.

Things to do

Get closer to nature
From water voles to bumblebees, all kinds of rare wildlife make a home at Crossness. Enjoy nature with the reedbed-fringed boardwalk or around the mini-beast area and wildlife pond.

Make a difference
Become a member and get involved in conservation volunteering activities and community events – such as butterfly walks, species awareness days and bird walks.

Capture that perfect shot
Keen snappers can come face to face with lapwings and a whole host of photogenic birds, as well as rare invertebrates.

Good to know

  • Opening times: dawn to dusk, all year-round
  • Composting toilets in the protected area (accessible to members of the Friends of Crossness Nature Reserve scheme)
  • Crossness is a wetland site and frequently floods in winter. Paths are often wet and muddy so we suggest visitors wear wellies

How to find us

Crossness Nature Reserve doesn’t have a dedicated car park. Pedestrian access is possible via footpaths on Norman Road, Belvedere, DA17 6JY. Alternatively, you can access the reserve from the Thames Path on Crabtree Manorway and walking West.