Clandon Wood

04/09/2026

Our resident nature expert Phil Armshaw keeps a close eye on the plethora of wildlife and plant species that choose to inhabit the meadow, lakes and hedgerows that make up Clandon Wood. His regular blog updates provide a seasonal journey through the year highlighting the ever changing environment and diverse habitat that Clandon Wood provides. We hope you gain some pleasure and a little knowledge too from reading them.

Read Phil's blog on our website.

If you would like to be added to our mailing list for all our updates please email the office. E: [email protected]

Phil’s nature diary blog Our resident nature expert Phil Armshaw keeps a close eye on the plethora of wildlife and plant species that choose to inhabit the meadow, lakes and hedgerows that make up Clandon Wood. His regular blog updates provide a seasonal journey through the year highlighting the e...

02/09/2026

🌿 AUTUMN AT CLANDON WOOD 🌿

Our hedgerows are bursting with autumn’s bounty — blackberries, elderberries, rosehips and hawthorn berries. By trimming only one side of our hedges each year, we leave plenty of food and shelter for the wildlife that calls Clandon Wood home.

🐭 Foraging mammals
Bank voles, field voles and wood mice search through the leaf litter and hedgerows for fallen seeds, nuts and insects — always keeping one eye on the sky for our kestrels.

🦋 Butterflies & insects
Comma and Speckled Wood butterflies can still be found basking in sunny spots along the hedgerows. These little microclimates make a huge difference as temperatures begin to fall.

🐦 Birdlife
Yellowhammers, linnets and t**s are busy feeding among the shrubs, while pheasants, partridges, jackdaws and crows make the most of food in our cut meadows. Later in the month, we may even welcome the first redwings arriving on the field margins.

🐝 Ivy in flower
Flowering ivy provides one of the most important late-season sources of nectar for bees, hoverflies and other insects — including the ivy bee and ivy moth.

31/08/2026

SEPTEMBER | SU***DE PREVENTION MONTH

For the men who always say, “I’m fine.”

Sometimes “I’m fine” means “I don’t know how to talk about this.”

Men are around three times more likely to die by su***de than women. Talking can feel difficult, but asking “Are you really okay?” can open a door that someone desperately needs.

At Clandon Wood, we know that grief, loss and difficult life experiences can affect people in ways that aren't always visible. You don't have to carry it alone.

James' Place — 020 3488 8404
Free professional support for men aged 18+ experiencing a suicidal crisis. The London centre is open Monday–Friday, 9:30am–5:30pm.

ANDYSMANCLUB
Free, confidential peer support for men aged 18+. Groups meet every Monday at 7pm across the UK. No booking or referral is needed — just turn up.
https://andysmanclub.co.uk/
Email: [email protected]

CALM — 0800 58 58 58
Free, confidential support, 5pm–midnight every day.

Samaritans — 116 123
Free, 24 hours a day
samaritans.org

PAPYRUS — 0300 102 2470
For anyone under 35 experiencing suicidal thoughts, or worried about a young person. Available 24/7.papyrus-uk.org

Don't wait until someone asks for help.
Ask. Listen. Stay.

ANDYSMANCLUB are a men’s su***de prevention charity offering free to attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online.

23/08/2026

We have found two budgie's at Clandon Wood. Please call the office on 01483 479614. We are unable to catch them and at present they are both resting in a tree.

21/08/2026

Tea, Cake & Company

Sunday 30th August 2026 from 11:30 - 2:30

Come and join us in our glass pavilion for a cup of tea or coffee and some cake.
Open to anyone who has been bereaved, the Clandon Wood Drop In Days offer a chance to be among others who share the experience of loss.

Talking helps. Having a space where death is not a taboo is important. And knowing that others who have experienced something similar are there to support you is a relief.

George, Ailean and Marion host these special Sundays, along with our very helpful volunteers Gary and Michael and although we won’t be offering professional bereavement support we think that kindness and company is sometimes all that is needed.

We look forward to seeing you.

20/08/2026

🌾 The meadow is being cut tomorrow

Tomorrow we’ll be cutting the meadow as part of our ongoing management of the wildflower grasslands at Clandon Wood.

Please take extra care when visiting the site while the work is taking place. Stay clear of all machinery and follow any instructions from our team.

Please also be aware that graves in the main meadow areas will be covered with grass following the cut and may not be easy to locate. If you’re unsure where a grave is, please ask at the office and we’ll be happy to help.

Thank you for your understanding while we carry out this essential work to care for our meadow and the wildlife that depends on it.

19/08/2026

Early morning visitor at Clandon Wood.

A beautiful Red-legged Partridge spotted out in the quiet of the morning. One of the many wonderful wildlife encounters we’re lucky enough to enjoy across the site.

17/08/2026

🌿 CLANDON WOOD VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME | AUGUST 2026 – MARCH 2027 🌿

Our next season of volunteer days is here, and there’s plenty to get stuck into!
From grassland management and willow coppicing to planting orchards, laying hedges and weaving traditional wattle fencing, every session helps us care for Clandon Wood and create an even richer habitat for wildlife.

🌱 28 August – Grassland Management in East Orchard

🌿 25 September – Grassland Management for Snakes & Flowers

🌱 9 October – Grassland Management

🪑 23 October – Sitting Down on the Job

🌱 13 November – Grassland Management

🌿 27 November – Willow Coppicing & Shade Dome Creation

🌷 11 December – Bulb Planting

🎄 18 December – End-of-Year Celebration

🍎 8 January – West Meadow Orchard Creation

🍒 22 January – East Meadow Orchard Creation

🌳 5 February – Hedge Laying

🌿 19 February – Hedge Laying & Willow Work

🪵 5 March – Wattle Fencing

🪵 19 March – Wattle Fencing

If you’d like to join us on one of these days, please email [email protected].

You’ll need suitable footwear and a packed lunch. We’ll provide the gloves — and, of course, a nice cup of tea!

Visit our website for full details of what each volunteer day entails.

We look forward to seeing you! 🌿

14/08/2026

Annual Meadow Mowing Update 🚜

You may have noticed that our meadows are looking particularly long and dry at the moment.

Our annual mowing normally takes place towards the end of summer, once the wildflowers have finished flowering and had time to set seed. This year, however, the exceptionally dry conditions mean we need to delay the work until we have had some significant rainfall. With the vegetation currently so dry, combined with the flints in the ground and the use of mowing machinery, there is an increased risk of fire.

The delay is temporary, and the mowing will take place as soon as conditions are suitable. We’ll keep you updated once we have a confirmed date.

Thank you for your understanding.