Wildlife, nature and wellbeing are top of the bill at Fulham Palace's green-focused fiesta this spring.
The annual Green Meet returns to Fulham Palace on Sunday 11 May for a buzzing day of workshops, games and activities for all the family.
Birds, bees and minibeasts are put in the spotlight at a series of expert-led talks, while biodiversity and sustainable gardening workshops will be packed with tips to take home.
Live music, garden games and a green market will add to the fun during the action-packed event running from 11am to 3pm at the 13-acre site in Bishop's Avenue.
Organiser Raphaela Ashford said:
The Green Meet is all about bringing people together to enjoy nature, gardening and sustainable living."
FREE tickets for H&F residents
We've teamed up with Fulham Palace to give away FREE tickets to H&F residents. Up for grabs are:
- 1x family bundle, including 2x adult tickets and 2x children's tickets
- 1 pair of adult tickets
To enter the ballet, email tickets@lbhf.gov.uk by Wednesday 7 May. Usual rules apply, winners will be selected at random.
Wildlife insights
Activities through the day include a minibeast hunt for little ones aged three to 12, as well as a chicken chat focused on exploring the lives of Fulham Palace's resident flock of feathered friends.
If apiary gets you excited, join bee and wasp specialist Dr Tony Madgwick for a guided safari exploring the busy world of pollinators.
As the London Natural History Society's Recorder for Bees and Wasps, Tony will be sharing his passion for supporting the appreciation, study and recording of the capital's wild bee and wasp populations.
Visitors can relax and wander around a green market, showcasing local stallholders offering eco-friendly products and garden-inspired goods.
Fulham Palace's own garden barrow will be selling freshly harvested, organically grown produce, homemade jams and chutneys, and hand-picked seasonal flowers, all cultivated within the historic walled garden.
"As London's second-oldest botanic garden, Fulham Palace has a long tradition of growing and inspiring others to do the same," explained Raphaela. "As an independent charity, events like this help support the Palace and keep it open and free for everyone to enjoy. It is a great way to explore the gardens, pick up eco-friendly ideas and connect with the community."
Behind-the-scenes tours
Among pre-booked paid activities on offer, a taster talk from Fulham Palace head gardener Lucy Hart will be a peek behind the scenes.
An exclusive tour of the dry moat that surrounds the historic site will delve into its fascinating biodiversity, while a trio of Fulham Palace's gardeners will reveal how they grow produce and flowers in the centuries-old walled garden.
Bird lovers can get tips on spotting and identifying some of the 30-plus species that visit the garden from RSPB volunteers as they lead two beginner birdwatching sessions (pre-book for £2) for all ages.
A wild tea-making and wellness workshop (pre-book for £10) is a chance to experience the calming art of tea making while fostering a deeper connection with nature in the tranquil surroundings of the walled garden.
Creative families can be inspired by the artistry of the sewing bee volunteers, who will be showcasing their latest project, a beautifully embroidered habitat designed for Fulham Palace's new school ecology sessions.
Visitors can give embroidery a go by stitching a flower, while younger children can explore simple stitches using hessian and ribbon as part of the artistic activity.
Live music will keep the good vibes going through the day's activities, along with delicious treats from a variety of food stalls and Fulham Palace's drawing room café.
Find out more and book tickets priced £5 adults or £3 children at the Fulham Palace Green Meet website.
