Perivale Wood is the second oldest nature reserve in Britain. It’s an 11 hectare haven for wildlife in Ealing, West London. The reserve is owned and cared for by the Selborne Society, founded in 1885 to honour the legacy of eighteenth-century naturalist Gilbert White of Selborne, Hampshire. Originally a national organisation dedicated to continuing White’s pioneering approach to the study of nature, the Society has a long history of encouraging people to observe, understand, and value the natural world. Today, the Selborne Society continues this mission at Perivale Wood, where volunteers and members record wildlife, conserve habitats, and manage the reserve as the Gilbert White Memorial – a living tribute to the man often regarded as England’s first ecologist.
The Bluebell Centre, a straw bale building, provides a light and spacious education facility with toilets and a small kitchen, fully accessible for wheelchair users. The reserve is open once a month for a regular field meeting and during peak bluebell time there are Open Days; dates etc are published on the society website (https://selbornesociety.org.uk/). Everyone is encouraged to attend the weekly habitat management mornings, held every Tuesday 10am-1pm. Family members are invited to attend monthly Rangers sessions and members can visit the reserve on regular members’ open days. School groups can book school sessions (http://www.perivalewood.org.uk/) that are carefully designed to support the National Curriculum and relevant exam board specifications, combining academic learning with the benefits of outdoor education. Activities encourage curiosity, teamwork, and problem-solving, while helping pupils build a deeper connection with nature.
