Enjoy your local nature reserve
Withymead is special: an oasis of riverside wildness; a haven for plants and wildlife; a place where Thames-side boat building once thrived. The 13-acre reserve was established by Anne Carpmael, a keen naturalist who lived at Withymead for nearly 60 years. Anne bequeathed the site as a special place for the community, and to inspire an appreciation of nature especially among young people. It opened in 2004.
Discover WithymeadHelp conserve our natural heritage
Withymead is a gem. Which we want to share with you.
We have a volunteer team who help with conservation and events, and new volunteers with general or specialist skills are always welcome.
What unites everyone who visits Withymead is their deep and profound connection with this special place by the Thames.
Volunteer with usSpotlights and updates
30th September 2024
News update | New welcome shelter begins ‘Improvements to Access’ project
There’s always lots going on at Withymead, even when we are closed for autumn and winter. Almost immediately after we served our last cream tea on Sunday 25 August we embarked on an exciting phase in the reserve’s history when we completed the first stage of our ‘Improvements to Access’ project. A new wooden welcome shelter has been installed to bring a better-defined starting point for visitors and greater weather protection for volunteers.
Read more28th March 2024
Spotlight | The glorious glow worm
Normally when I write these, I stumble upon something intriguing, take some pictures, go researching and write something up. It’s not much, but it’s honest work.
Read more25th August 2024
Events | 25 August 2pm – 5pm Cream Tea Sunday
Enjoy the reserve and nature at its very best 10am-5pm. Round off your visit with delicious homemade cream teas, cakes and refreshments served 2pm-5pm in the Study Centre and Oak Grove at our last Cream Tea Sunday for the season. Entry is free, donations welcome.
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