The Urban Tree Festival returns for nine days this May, celebrating London’s incredible urban forest with walks, talks, art and workshops. Running from 9–17 May, it overlaps perfectly with the London Walking Festival – and there’s a fantastic programme of tree-themed walks across the city.
From ancient woodland in Lesnes Abbey and Epping Forest to veteran trees in Golders Hill Park and the story of London’s most famous tree in the City, these walks are a brilliant way to see the capital through the lens of its trees. Many are expert-led, most are free or low-cost, and there’s something for every pace and interest.
53 ways to explore London’s urban forest this May
The Urban Forest Exhibition and Pop-up Café at Art Hub Studios in New Cross is open daily 10:30–4:00 throughout the festival, with a late opening on Saturday 9 May.
Saturday 9 May
Street Trees for Living Citizen Science Workshop – 10:00–12:00, Lewisham Learn about Lewisham’s tree health programme and get involved in citizen science caring for local street trees.
Guided Walk: ‘Woody’ – London’s Most Famous Tree – 10:30–12:00, City of London The story of London’s most famous tree and its fascinating relationship with its urban surroundings.
Connect & Create Forest Bathing – 11:00–1:00, Hampstead Heath Mindful movement, meditation and creative activities among the trees.
Greenwich Park: Orchard Open Day – 11:00–3:00, Greenwich Park Explore the Queen’s Orchard with the Royal Parks team. Activities for all ages.
Sunday 10 May
Nature & Art in the Neighbourhood – 10:00–2:00, Walthamstow Renaturing, art and the veteran trees of Epping Forest.
Radicle Tree Walk: Ravenscourt Park – 10:30–1:00, Ravenscourt Park Botany, foraging, storytelling and herbal tea.
New Cross Tree Walk with Greg Packman – 11:00–1:00, New Cross A creative tree walk exploring urban trees, ecology and folklore.
Hackney Community Tree Nursery Open Day – 11:00–4:00, Hackney Join Tree Musketeers for a day of nature, learning and community at their beautiful nursery.
Lesnes Abbey Woods – Time Travelling Through Nature – 11:00–12:30, Lesnes Abbey Woods Ancient woodland from prehistoric origins to Victorian history.
Connect + Create: Women’s Nature Wellbeing Session – 2:00–4:00, City of London Forest Bathing, Qigong and creative activities. For City of London residents.
Witches & Beeches of Epping Forest – 6:00–8:00 PM, Epping Forest Ancient trees, eerie folklore and dark histories.
Bat Walk – Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens – 8:45–9:45 PM, Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens Guided evening walk with bat detectors to spot urban wildlife.
Monday 11 May
A Walk in Memory of Ms Marline: The Grapefruit Tree – 10:00–11:00, Battersea A walk celebrating the grapefruit tree at 67 Queenstown Road and Black immigrant plant stories, with interdisciplinary scholar and artist Nhadya Simone Lawes.
Tree Song Project | Community Singing Workshop – 12:15–1:45, Culture Mile A lunchtime singing workshop using tree-inspired songs to connect voice, nature and community.
Sitting with Trees: A Green Love Letter to Black Elder Women – 1:00–2:00, Art Hub Studios A virtual dialogue exploring aging, memory and nature through poetry and lived experience, screened at Art Hub Studios with tea and cake.
Trees That Shape Cities – 2:00–4:00, City of London Architect, gardener and writer Judith Lösing explores the vital role trees play in shaping London’s built environment. For City of London residents.
Tuesday 12 May
City Tree Walk & Barbican Wildlife Garden – 10:20–12:20, Golden Lane/Barbican A relaxed and sociable guided walk exploring the planting and green spaces around the Golden Lane and Barbican area. With Age UK City of London.
Trees at ExCel – 12:30–1:30, ExCeL A tree walk led by TDAG at Futurebuild exploring local planting, species selection and tree condition around ExCeL.
Tree Musketeers Community Tree Nursery: A Guided Tour – 1:00–2:30, Hackney A tour of the nursery including the orchard, seedling polytunnel, apiary, forest garden, herb garden and wildlife pond.
Tremendous Trees at Boston Manor Park – 5:00–6:00, Boston Manor Park A guided walk discovering the beautiful veterans and other tremendous trees of Boston Manor Park.
Hidden Garden Haiku Walkshop – 6:00–7:30, Imperial War Museum A walking workshop exploring Britain’s native trees, where participants write and recite haiku inspired by nature and the city.
Discover Trees in Epping Forest – 6:30–8:30, Chingford A circular walk exploring tree species, ecology and their role in human history.
Wednesday 13 May
Inclusive Tree Tour with Adapted Bikes & Scooters – 11:00–1:00 A supported outdoor session with Wheels for Wellbeing exploring local green spaces using adapted bikes and scooters. Led by Phil Paulo from CPRE London.
Lesnes Abbey Woods – Time Travelling Through Nature – 11:00–12:30, Lesnes Abbey Woods Ancient woodland from prehistoric origins to Roman, medieval and Victorian history.
Gunnersbury Park Mulberry & Friends – 11:30–1:00, Gunnersbury Park Discover hidden wonders with Peter Coles, from historic mulberries to ancient yews and a towering Cedar of Lebanon.
Tree Song Project | A Walking Tour – 12:15–1:45, Culture Mile A guided walk through the City’s green spaces blending tree stories, music and performance.
Panel Discussion: Community Stewardship of Trees – 7:00–8:30, Vauxhall A live panel discussion with four experts exploring community stewardship of trees in urban spaces and streets.
Thursday 14 May
Forest Club Open Session – 10:00–2:00, Lesnes Abbey Woods A hands-on woodland session exploring traditional crafts, tools and biodiversity.
Hidden Garden Tree Haiku Walkshop – 11:00–12:30, City of London A guided walk exploring hidden green spaces near St Paul’s, combining gentle walking, mindful observation and haiku writing.
Vauxhall Park Tree Walk – 1:00–2:00, Vauxhall Park A guided lunchtime walk with arboriculturist Callum Henderson, uncovering the stories behind the park’s key trees.
Urban Forestry and the Arts – 7:00–8:00 Mark Johnston shares a lifetime of connecting people with trees, pioneering new ideas in urban forestry and urban greening.
Friday 15 May
Hidden Garden Haiku Walkshop – 11:00–12:30, Holland Park A walkshop exploring two Japanese gardens, where participants write and share haiku.
London Tree Ring: Inclusive Street Tree Photography Workshop – 11:00–1:00, City of London A free, creative workshop exploring London’s street trees through photography, supporting wellbeing and connection with urban nature.
Tree Hunting: North London with Paul Wood – 12:00–1:30, Islington Join the author of Tree Hunting on a walking tour discovering some of Islington’s remarkable trees.
Printing with Trees: Cyanotype Workshop – 2:00–3:30, Art Hub Studios Make bold blue sunprints using leaves and branches while exploring tree shapes and identification. 18+.
Witches & Beeches of Epping Forest – 6:00–8:00, Epping Forest A storytelling walk uncovering ancient trees, eerie folklore and dark histories.
Saturday 16 May
Ladywell Fields Tree Walk – 10:00–12:00, Ladywell Fields A gentle guided walk introducing notable trees, including native black poplars and the Lewisham elm.
The History of One Tree Hill, Told Through its Trees – 10:30–12:00, One Tree Hill A guided walk exploring its rich history, diverse trees and panoramic views across London.
Trees in Myth and Story – 10:30–12:00, Blythe Hill Fields A guided walk exploring tree myths and folklore through storytelling, reflection and shared connections.
The Grand Finale of Big Vauxhall Tree Week – 11:00–5:00, Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens Animals, performances, plants and family-friendly activities for the finale of Big Vauxhall Tree Week.
BSL Interpreted Tree Tour – 11:00–12:30, Victoria Park A guided walk exploring trees and climate action, BSL-supported for D/deaf and hard of hearing participants.
Tree Hunting: South London with Paul Wood – 12:00–2:00, New Cross/Deptford Join the author of Tree Hunting discovering the treasures of New Cross and Deptford, starting at Art Hub Studios.
Deadwood: Elergy – 2:00–4:00 A creative session exploring the life of a dead silver birch, inviting participants to reflect and create an elegy through words and images.
The Wishing Tree – 2:00–3:00, Lesnes Abbey Woods A magical forest storytelling show for children and families.
Touch Tour of Trees – 2:00–3:00, Victoria Park A guided sensory walk for blind and partially sighted participants to connect with trees and explore climate action.
Lesnes Abbey Woods – Time Travelling Through Nature – 2:00–3:30, Lesnes Abbey Woods Ancient woodland from prehistoric origins to Roman, medieval and Victorian history.
Witches & Beeches of Epping Forest – 6:00–8:00, Epping Forest Ancient trees, eerie folklore and dark histories.
Sunday 17 May
Community Fungi Cultivation with London Mycology Project – 10:30–1:30, Art Hub Studios A practical, low-tech mushroom cultivation workshop with hands-on activities and a take-home grow kit.
Hidden Garden Tree Haiku Walkshop – 11:00–12:30, City of London (east) A walking workshop exploring hidden gardens near Monument, combining creativity, mindfulness and urban exploration.
Golders Hill Park’s Veteran Trees & Orchard – 11:00–1:30, Golders Hill Park A leisurely guided walk with Peter Coles exploring veteran trees, including historic oaks, mulberries and remnants of a Victorian orchard.
Discover Trees in Epping Forest – 12:30–3:30, Highams Park A circular walk around Highams Park Lake exploring tree species, ecology and their role in human history.
Family Heath Walk – 2:00–4:30, Hampstead Heath A family walk connecting with the ancient and urban trees of Hampstead Heath.
D i s a p p e a r i n g Plants – 3:00–4:30, Cultivate Colindale A workshop rethinking how we see and photograph trees, creating experimental camera-free images using plant materials.
