kew gardens

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by Susie

I love Wakehurst Place, I go there alot. It is always worth a visit

Definitely and there's a SSSI reserve that backs onto it that's really interesting botanically too - got a silly moment and gone blank to it's name but will get it for you soon

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by thunder

I can remember when it cost a penny to get in! Was born nearby, used to go quite often. Beautiful place.

henrya

with old turn style gates

[Dutchess]

Originally Posted by tufftie

with old turn style gates

Oh yes! I remember those....My "rich" auntie used to live in Cumberland Road, a stone's throw from the Gardens. Us cousins used to trot down to the gates regulary, costing us (I think) just an old threepenny bit to enter

[tufftie]

My first school was around there somewhere - I lived in Ham Common until I was about 4

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by tufftie

Just don't go in before it opens or you might get shot! I always walked to my work area via where they were shooting as it meant they had to stop shooting....my stand for corvids and grey squirrels

It is noticeable how few Crows + Magpies you see at Kew compared with other places in the area. Personally I think it's unnecessary as though they undoubtedly take some eggs/chicks I don't believe it would make much impact on songbird populations. Other parks in London with high corvid numbers also have thriving songbird numbers if the habitat is there.

Were you a gardener at Kew then Tuftie?

[JLSeagull]

Originally Posted by tufftie

Definitely and there's a SSSI reserve that backs onto it that's really interesting botanically too - got a silly moment and gone blank to it's name but will get it for you soon

It's the Loder Valley Nature Reserve. It's limited to 50 people per day and you have to get a four digit code, which changes daily, from the pay desk to enter the reserve.

I've been a few times and it's well worth a visit. It's always been quiet when I've been. There are hides dotted about and plenty to see including a beautiful lake but it does get quiet boggy in wet weather so make sure you wear the right footware. It's supposed to be a good kingfisher spotting area but unfortunately I've never seen one. I saw lots of cormorants on my last visit.

I was at Wakehurst yesterday, but didn't visit the reserve. It was nice to see the beginnings of autumn colour and the weather was great.

[sasta24]

We went to Kew at the end of July, do take your' own food, as the baked potatoes cost a fortune for what you get....
I took a pic at the top of the tree top walk, have a nosey








You are higher than most of the trees too

[galanthus]

Oooh thanx sasta Yes does look quite high. Does it go on for a fair while or is it only a little walk above the trees ?

I didn't go this time as offspring had too much she wanted to see However, it's a very easy journey for me and I love London so will undoubtedly go up again very soon.

[sasta24]

Only a very short walk i'm afraid, the stairs take longer to get up hehe, Lovley view's though as you can see.