Crossness Nature Reserve
A haven for rare species, Crossness Nature Reserve is the perfect place to find your wild. It offers:
- An impressive variety of rare species
- A protected area for wildlife (members only)
- Opportunities to get involved and make a positive difference
Become a member
Once you’ve joined, you’ll gain access to the protected area and be able to take part in special events. This area has a bird hide, a dipping pond, mini-beast area, and a boardwalk through reedbeds. Composting toilets are also available in this area only.
Join our community events or volunteer to help manage this special place. You'll receive e-newsletters and regular information about wildlife sightings.
View our membership terms and conditions.
What to see
Discover an oasis for wildlife nestled on the riverside.
From water voles to bumblebees, all kinds of rare wildlife make a home at Crossness. You might spot England’s rarest bumblebee, the shrill carder bee. You might also see the scarce brown-banded and moss carder bees.
There are also rare dragonflies, such as Lesser Emperor and Norfolk Hawker. There are a host of butterflies and other invertebrates, too.
Things to do
How to spend your day at Crossness Nature Reserve.
Spend time in nature
Enjoy nature with a relaxing stroll along the reedbed-fringed boardwalk. Crossness has the largest reedbed in Bexley and is one of the last grazing marshes left in London.
Get hands on with nature
Keep the little ones entertained with a trip to the mini-beast area and wildlife pond. You'll learn about all sorts of weird and wonderful creatures, like water beetles and bees.
Enjoy some bird watching
Within the protected area, you’ll find a two-storey bird hide for spotting wildlife. Bird watchers grab your binoculars, and be on the lookout for waders, wildfowl and barn owls.
How to find us
Open every day, from dawn till dusk.
Crossness Nature Reserve doesn’t have a dedicated car park. Pedestrian access is possible via:
- Footpaths from Norman Road, Belvedere, DA17 6JY
- Walking west along the Thames Path from Crabtree Manorway
- Going east from the Fairview Drive area of Thamesmead
Visiting safely
- Be respectful of other visitors and staff
- Follow any instructions and information on signs – they're there to keep you safe
- Children must be supervised at all times
- Please stick to footpaths – don’t enter any paddocks where livestock are grazing
- Dogs aren't allowed inside the protected area
- Bring your wellies – many paths are often wet and/or muddy
- Crossness is a wetlands site and often floods in winter
Accessibility
- The footpath is accessible from the Thames Path to the protected area
- Lower level bird hide is accessible
- Pond dipping platforms in the protected area is accessible
- Accessible compost toilet in the protected area
- Other areas on site aren't accessible due to rough terrain and kissing gates
