Hertfordshire & Middlesex Branch
Saving butterflies, moths and our environment
The 2025 programme of walks is prepared but events and additional details including booking links will be added when confirmed.
Whether a member of Butterfly Conservation or not, you are welcome to join us at any of our free butterfly walks or moth events.
We have been reviewing our booking system again and some events will require advance booking through an online booking provider such as Eventbrite, although some walk leaders are happy to have no advance booking.
Sadly the Big City Butterfly Project has ended but we hope to include several walks in the project area this year
BUTTERFLY WALKS ARE FOR EVERYONE! You most emphatically do NOT have to be an expert to come on a butterfly walk. Butterfly walks can be enjoyed by anyone with any level of knowledge (or none). Photographers, children (with adult supervision), first-time participants, you are ALL welcome. Butterfly Conservation does not ask for any donation or payment to attend their walks; however some of the walks included in this programme when organised by another organisations may request a donation and/or a fee.
Neighbouring branches also have a wide-ranging programme of walks; some are quite close to our branch borders. The full list of Butterfly Conservation events can be viewed on the national website - here
A printable copy of the 2025 walks programme in pdf format is here - this will be updated regularly
Last updated 1 August 2025
| Date: | Saturday 2 AUGUST 2025 |
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| Event Title: | Guided butterfly walk to visit Butterfly Conservation's only reserve in the Herts & Middlesex area and see a range of summer butterflies and look at the moths recorded the previous night. Part of the Big Butterfly Count programme of butterfly walks. |
| Location: | Millhoppers Pasture Reserve. |
| Address and/or grid ref: | Postcode HP23 4PE - SP903142 [Landranger Map 165] (Please note this is the grid reference of the meeting place not the Reserve) |
| Time/meeting place: | 10:30 at Wilstone Village Hall for a short walk across the fields to the Reserve. Walk to last approx. 2 hours after the moths have been looked at. |
| What3words: | Meeting place https://w3w.co/serenade.busy.guard |
| Transport & directions: | Nearest railway stations: Tring (West Midlands Trains from London Euston) or Wendover (Chiltern Railways from London Marylebone) |
| Information | Suitable for children and an ideal opportunity to develop Butterfly identification skills. |
| Contact details | Email: millhoppers@hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.uk or on the day Chris Ridley ~ 07463 821287 |
| Booking details: | Eventbrite booking required https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/guided-butterfly-walk-at-millhoppers-pasture-reserve-nr-wilstone-tickets-1415272170159 |
| Date: | Sunday 3 AUGUST 2025 |
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| Event Title: | Guided butterfly walk at Merry Hill, Bushey for summer butterflies and the hope of seeing the elusive Brown Hairstreak butterfly with the permission of the Woodland Trust. Part of the Big Butterfly Count programme of butterfly walks. |
| Location: | Merry Hill off Merry Hill Road, Bushey, Hertfordshire |
| Address and/or grid ref: | Nearest Postcode WD23 1DF - TQ136943 [Landranger Map 176] |
| Time/meeting place: | Meet at 12:00 at the upper footpath entrance on Merry Hill Road just past number 125 - we aim to finish by 14:00. |
| What3words: | https://w3w.co/apples.wallet.chair |
| Transport & directions: | The nearest mainline station is Bushey (London Northwestern Railway from London Euston (approx. 1 mile walk) alternatively it is possible to walk across the site from Carpenders Park (London Overground). Buses are reasonably frequent and stop at Merry Hill Road (eastern end). The 258 runs from Watford Junction to South Harrow station and the 142 runs from Watford Junction to Brent Cross - both call at Bushey Station. It is approx. 8 minute walk along Merry Hill Road to the meet point. We suggest you park in Victoria Road just off Merry Hill Road a short distance from the meeting point. |
| Information | Brown Hairstreak were first confirmed at this site in 2024 making it the first known modern Hertfordshire site |
| Contact details on the day | Peter Fewell mobile: 07814 282356 |
| Booking details: | Eventbrite booking required https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/guided-butterfly-walk-at-merry-hill-bushey-for-brown-hairstreak-tickets-1415279762869 |
| Date: | Wednesday 6 AUGUST 2025 |
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| Event Title: | An early morning walk at Claybury Park looking for the elusive Brown Hairstreak at the invitation of Cambs & Essex Branch of Butterfly Conservation. |
| Location: | Claybury Park, Woodford Bridge, London Borough of Redbridge |
| Address and/or grid ref: | Nearest postcode IG8 8NQ - TQ4248391229 [Landranger Map 177 or 167] |
| Time/meeting place: | 09:00 - 11:00 - Please meet outside the gates to the park on Roding Lane North at TQ4248391229 (just south of the junction with Vicarage Road). There is plenty of unrestricted free parking along Roding Lane North |
| What3words: | https://w3w.co/offers.forms.loaded |
| Transport & directions: | Woodford Green tube station (Central Line) is a 15-20 minutes' walk from the meeting point. |
| Information | The Brown Hairstreak had been missing from the Cambridgeshire & Essex Branch area for generations eggs were discovered in Claybury Park in December 2022. This last winter, there was a very strong egg count which suggests that Brown Hairstreak is now well established at Claybury Park. Join us for an early start to try and see this beautiful and elusive butterfly. This guided walk will locate likely assembly trees to catch the morning activity of the Brown Hairstreak males. Along the way we will be keeping an eye out for any females that may be lower down on blackthorn or nectaring on adjacent flowers. |
| Contact details | Ian Watts - see email below for all communications |
| Booking details: | The walk is limited to 10 attendees - please contact Ian Watts ian@ianwatts.co.uk to confirm your place |
| Date: | Sunday 17 AUGUST 2025 |
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| Event Title: | Guided butterfly walk at Stafford Road Open Space for summer butterflies and the hope of seeing the elusive Brown Hairstreak butterfly in the blackthorn scrub |
| Location: | Stafford Road Open Space in the London Borough of Hillingdon |
| Address and/or grid ref: | TQ096854. [Landranger Map 176] |
| Time/meeting place: | Start 10:30 on Stafford Road Open Space at the sign post on the brookside footpath TQ096854. Finish 13:00. (For those travelling by public transport DEPART 10:15 from Ruislip Gardens Underground Station exit for a 600m additional walk to the start point - postcode HA4 6NF - TQ100858 [Landranger Map 176] .) |
| What3words: | Stafford Road Open Space Meeting point - https://w3w.co/daring.sticks.eaten |
| Transport & directions: | On Central Line, also E7 bus (every 20 minutes) from Ruislip (Metropolitan & Piccadilly) to Ealing Broadway (District and National rail). Very limited pay and display parking at station, some off street parking plus car parks at Sidmouth Drive (HA4 ODA) and Ruislip Gardens shops at New Pond Parade, West End Road (HA4 6LR). |
| Information | Strong shoes are advisable - those attending must be mindful that blackthorn has sharp thorns so care should be taken if taking photos. Walk length approx. 5km. |
| Contact details | Nick Furtek - nick_furtek@yahoo.co.uk |
| Booking details: | Eventbrite booking required https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/guided-butterfly-walk-at-stafford-road-open-space-for-brown-hairstreak-tickets-1416348720149 |
| Date: | Tuesday 19 AUGUST 2025 |
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| Event Title: | Guided butterfly walk at Clothall Common, Baldock for 'Summer Blues' including hopefully second brood Adonis and Small Blue with Cambridgeshire & Essex Branch of Butterfly Conservation |
| Location: | Clothall Common, Baldock |
| Address and/or grid ref: | TL257342 [Landranger Map 153] - postcode SG7 6SU (Aleyn Way) |
| Time/meeting place: | 11:00 at the entrance to the Open Space at the north end of Aleyn Way - this is a residential street (morning walk to finish before 13:00). |
| What3words: | https://w3w.co/fame.powder.upper |
| Transport & directions: | Nearest station: Baldock (Thameslink from London Kings Cross to Cambridge). From the A505 just east of Baldock, take the slip road exit to Baldock (old road) into the town and at the traffic lights turn left onto the A507 (directions Buntingford). Just before you cross the Baldock Bypass there is a roundabout; take the first turning onto Wallington Road marked as a dead end. Follow the road around, then at a small roundabout take the 3rd exit onto Yeomanry Drive and then turn right onto Aleyn Way - the meeting point is at the end of the road. Parking will be on street so please respect local residents. |
| Information | Join Andrew Wood and Liz Goodyear for a walk around Clothall Common which was created when the Baldock Bypass was built and now become established as a very good site for 'blue' butterflies! |
| Contact details | Liz Goodyear email: elizabethgoodyear@talk21.com or 07815 581934 on the day only |
| Booking details: | Eventbrite booking required https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/guided-walk-at-clothall-common-baldock-looking-for-the-summer-blues-tickets-1431601852679 |
| Date: | Saturday 23 AUGUST 2025 |
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| Event Title: | Guided butterfly walk at Therfield Heath for Adonis Blue and other second brood butterflies with Cambridgeshire & Essex Branch of Butterfly Conservation (with kind permission of the Conservators of Therfield Heath and Greens). |
| Location: | Therfield Heath, near Royston |
| Address and/or grid ref: | TL347405 postcode SG8 5BG (Postcode is same for 3 car parks on the Heath make sure you are at the main one near tennis courts not Golf Club or small one without any buildings near McDonalds) |
| Time/meeting place: | 10:30 at the main Therfield Heath car park. (morning walk to finish before 13:00). Refreshments available from adjacent Heath Cafe Bar before or afterwards. The leader will be at the start whatever the weather, but there will not be many butterflies to see in wet weather so do not travel far if the forecast is poor. |
| What3words: | https://w3w.co/midfield.hiding.bunch |
| Transport & directions: | Nearest station: Royston (Thameslink from London Kings Cross to Cambridge). Directions from the A505 just west of Royston, take the exit to Royston (old road) that runs beneath the Heath; the car park is approx. 1km on the right. |
| Information | There will be some steep slopes. Separate your blues - at this event last year we saw 5 species of Blue (Adonis, Chalkhill, Common, Holly and Brown Argus). We are still hopeful that the Small Blue will colonise from nearby sites on private land to make six. Maybe this year? The use of close focusing binoculars might be beneficial when looking at the close detail of some of the smaller butterflies |
| Contact details | Nick Keep ~ 07305 241796 (for queries) |
| Booking details: | Eventbrite booking required https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/guided-butterfly-walk-at-therfield-heath-for-adonis-blue-summer-species-tickets-1474147327339 |
| Date: | Saturday 20 SEPTEMBER 2025 |
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| Event Title: | Guided walk at Croxley Common Moor for Small Copper and other early autumn butterflies. |
| Location: | Croxley Common Moor, near Croxley Green |
| Address and/or grid ref: | Moor Lane Crossing entrance to Croxley Common Moor TQ082946 nearest postcode is WD18 9QN |
| Time/meeting place: | 14:00 at the Moor Lane Crossing entrance to the Common - walk to finish by 15:30 |
| What3words: | https://w3w.co/heap.lace.gross |
| Transport & directions: | Croxley (Metropolitan Line) is the nearest station. Directions - turn off the A4145 Tolpits Lane onto Moor Lane Crossing. After 50 yards follow the road round to the left into Old's Approach. Please use on street parking in Old's Approach (two minute walk to the meeting point) *this is on an industrial estate, so shouldnt be busy at weekend |
| Information | |
| Contact details | Malcolm Hull ~ 07768 154324 or email: malcolmhull@hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.uk |
| Booking details: | Eventbrite booking required https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/guided-walk-at-croxley-common-moor-for-small-copperautumn-butterflies-tickets-1512514725259 |
| Date: | Sunday 21 SEPTEMBER 2025 |
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| Event Title: | Guided walk at Normansland Common for Small Copper and other early autumn butterflies. |
| Location: | Nomansland Common, near Sandridge |
| Address and/or grid ref: | Nearest postcode AL4 8EJ - TL171123 [Landranger Map 166] |
| Time/meeting place: | 14:00 in the public car park at Ferrers Lane in the middle of the Common. This walk to last 1 to 1 ½ hours |
| What3words: | https://w3w.co/voting.racing.chill |
| Transport & directions: | Nearest station is Harpenden (Thameslink from London St. Pancras Int.) - approx 3 miles. From St Albans take the B651 north towards Wheathampstead. Pass through Sandridge Village and you will reach the common half a mile further on. At the cross roads in the centre of the common, turn left into Ferrers Lane. The car park is 500 yards along on the left. |
| Information | |
| Contact details | Malcolm Hull ~ 07768 154324 or email: malcolmhull@hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.uk |
| Booking details: | Eventbrite booking required https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/guided-walk-at-nomansland-common-for-small-copperearly-autumn-butterflies-tickets-1512489379449 |
*The Branch sells the FSC Identification Guide to Butterflies. Contact Malcolm Hull for more information (07768 154324 or email: malcolmhull@hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.uk)
Children
Children are welcome at our events, but if under 16 they must be accompanied by at least one adult for two children. It is the responsibility of the accompanying adult(s) to ensure that the event is within the children's ability.
Dogs
Dogs are normally welcome on walks but must be kept under control. Any exceptions are shown in the individual event details.
Bad weather
Leaders of Branch-led walks will be at the meeting point whatever the weather, but may cancel the event if conditions are unsuitable. Any exceptions are shown in the individual event details. Other organisations and BC branches have different policies. Please contact the named leader for the walk before travelling if you have any concerns.
Lyme Disease
We recommend that all attendees understand the symptoms of Lyme Disease and take the relevant precautions. For more information visit the branch website -
here
Special needs
Unfortunately, most walks will not be suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs. Please contact the named leader in advance if you have any concerns about accessibility.
What3words
We have tried to include the What3word link for each event. To download the App visit: https://what3words.com/products/what3words-app
Public Transport
We aim to give as much information as possible, although unfortunately some of the Hertfordshire events are not easily accessible by public transport. Train times should be checked, as timetables change and engineering works take place on Saturdays and Sundays. In 2024 industrial action may also affect travel arrangements. We recommend using public transport for all events in London.
If using your car please check you are ULEZ compliant https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone