Help More Children and Young People Experience the Joy of Nature

The Holly Lodge Centre is a unique and exceptional education centre nestled in the heart of Richmond Park. For over 30 years, we’ve brought science, nature, and history to life for children, young people, and adults — especially those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Our mission is simple: to make nature accessible to everyone, regardless of ability.

Every year, more than 7,000 visitors come to experience the calm, curiosity, and wonder of outdoor learning in one of London’s most extraordinary green spaces. We specialise in hands-on workshops, immersive sensory sessions, Victorian history experiences, and inclusive outdoor education that supports people of all ages and needs.

Why We Need Your Support

Demand for our sessions has never been higher. For many children with SEND, opportunities to explore nature are limited by physical barriers, inaccessible spaces, or a lack of specialised support. We provide a safe, fully wheelchair accessible environment where every child can learn, explore, and feel confident outdoors.

Our secure site offers:

• Accessible nature trails, ponds, and wildlife habitats

• Three indoor classrooms, including a Victorian schoolroom and historic pharmacy

• Wheelchair friendly pathways

• Specialist toilets, including a changing bed and hoist

But as demand grows, so does the need to expand our teaching team, develop more sensory rich outdoor learning areas, and improve facilities so we can welcome more visitors safely and inclusively.

What Your Donation Supports

Your generosity will help us:

- Expand Accessible Outdoor Learning

We’ll enhance our nature trails and outdoor classrooms to support sensory learning for groups with a diverse range of needs.

- Recruit an Additional Specialist Teacher

With more staff, we can reduce waiting lists and offer additional sessions — providing more children with meaningful time in nature.

- Improve Our Facilities

Upgrading accessible toilets and outdoor spaces allows us to welcome more schools, SEND groups, and community organisations safely.

With your help, we can reach even more children and young people, changing how they see — and feel — the natural world.

Why Your Gift Matters

At Holly Lodge Centre, learning is active, immersive, and joyful. From pond dipping to Victorian role play, sensory trails to nature science, every session offers children the chance to explore, discover, and feel part of something bigger.

Visitors describe our environment as welcoming, beautiful, and transformative — a space where children with disabilities can flourish, connect, and grow.

Your support ensures nature is not a privilege, but a right.