Conservation Groups London

Camp fire stories of myth and mystery

"Light a campfire and everyone’s a storyteller.” John Geddes There is something mystical about making fire, then gathering round a campfire in community as night falls to listen to and share stories. Huddled up warm and relaxed, putting branches into the fire, arranging the logs, staring mesmerised into the flames. Campfire storytelling taps into our deep ancestral memory of being hunter gatherers. As night drops down your senses are heightened. You're not too sure what the sounds are in the night around you. People are ready to hear stories and use their imaginations to enter into the sense of mystery, the mystical and the sacred. Camp fire stories of myth and mystery is a two-hour session where we sit round a roaring firepit, with blankets, warm food and drink, to listen to ancient, soul healing, mythic stories of the mystery of life and sacred nature. "Camp fire stories of myth and mystery" is next on in the churchyard of St. Peter and St. Paul, Church, Church Lane, Chaldon, Caterham CR3 5AL, 8-10pm on Saturday July 18th, 2026. Arrive 7.30pm for a 8pm start. Please contact Soul Rewilding https://www.soulrewilding.co.uk/ directly if you'd like us to run an event for your community.

Beyond Human Rights: Defending Freedoms (Alain de Benoist)

Forest & Nature Immersion with Folklore around the fire. Set in Sussex.

Journey out to the heart of West Sussex, for a gathering in the forest. Immerse yourself in nature, with a guided walk amongst the trees on ancient land, spend time around the camp fire, listening to stories of ancient folklore and their relationship to the trees and creatures around you. Anam Cara is a retreat centre set in 10 acres of remote and peaceful country side yet only 15 minute drive from Haslemere train station, a 50 minute ride from Waterloo. There is the option to bring a tent and stay the weekend or rent a tent or cabin from Anam Cara. (GU84SQ)

ConsciousCafe London Dinner

ConsciousCafe invites you to join our next London Dinner which will be held in Central London. You will have the opportunity to meet likeminded conscious people and chat over a meal in a relaxed atmosphere. Many beautiful friendships and connections have been created at our London lunches and dinners. We love it when we see people exchanging their contact details as they leave. There is always a special bond when you enjoy deep conversations together. We choose restaurants which are good value for money with a selection of dishes to suit all dietary requirements. You will receive your own bill at the end of the meal and will only pay for what you have ordered. We reckon a budget of £20 - £35 should cover your meal. We know we are getting it right when people ask us at the end of the lunch – or dinner – ‘when is the next one?’ So far this has happened every time. If you would like to come to our next dinner please send a non-refundable deposit of £5 per person to book your place. This covers our administration costs for the event. If places are sold out please email Judy@consciouscafe.org to go on the waiting list as sometimes guests cancel at the last moment. Places are limited so please book as soon as you can to reserve your seat at the table. During the meal you will have the chance to move around and meet different people. If you want to invite a conscious friend to come with you of course that’s fine but this is a spiritual networking event so be prepared to connect with other people and not just talk to the person you have come with. If you do make a booking for two tickets please let us know the name and contact details of your friend. **[BOOK VIA OUR WEBSITE](https://consciouscafe.org/event/consciouscafe-london-dinner-7/)**

FREE HIKE – Summer Love on the Green Trails – Epping Forest Hike

# **🌿A Shaded Epping Adventure** Step into the cool green heart of **Epping Forest**, where ancient trees cast long summer shadows and the air feels like it’s carrying its own quiet melody. There’s something about warm days under deep woodland shade that brings a soft, nostalgic energy — the kind you find in those timeless summer love songs that drift through the season. Dappled sunlight, leafy canopies, quiet ponds, and long winding trails create a rhythm of their own. Whether you come for the scenery, the shade, the miles, or simply the company, this woodland loop carries that gentle, dreamy “summer‑in‑the‑air” feeling that makes the forest feel almost cinematic. ## 📅 **Event Details** **Meeting Point:** Outside Chingford Station **Meeting Time:** 10:45 AM **Parking:** Chingford Plain Car Park (E4 7QJ) – approx. 7‑minute walk **Distance:** 13–15 miles **Route Type:** Circular **Pace:** Medium **Estimated Finish:** By 6:30 PM **Difficulty:** Moderate to challenging (some hills) ## 🌳 **Route Highlights** * Wander beneath **ancient oak and beech canopies**, where the summer sun filters through in soft, golden patches. * Follow shaded forest paths that feel cool, calm, and quietly atmospheric — perfect for a warm July or August day. * Walk sections of the **Essex Way**, opening into bright meadows and wide countryside views. * Pass the historic **Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge**, a striking 16th‑century landmark. * Enjoy a mix of terrains: woodland trails, open plains, gentle hills, and peaceful ponds. * Keep an eye out for **deer, birds, and forest wildlife** moving through the trees. * And as always, we’ll end with a well‑earned drink at a pub near the station — the perfect summer finish. ## 🎒 **What to Bring** * Proper hiking boots or sturdy shoes * Packed lunch & snacks * **At least 2L of water** (it can get warm even under the trees) * Light rainproof layer (just in case) * Sun protection for the open sections and a cap or hat * Good vibes and your best summer‑forest energy ## 📌 **Important Notes** * **Stay Together:** Please stay with or behind the hike leader to keep the group moving safely and smoothly. * **Group Rules:** Please read the “About Us” section before joining: [https://www.meetup.com/free-hiking-outdoor-fitness-and-social-activities](https://www.meetup.com/free-hiking-outdoor-fitness-and-social-activities?utm_source=copilot.com "www.meetup.com") * **Safety:** This is a voluntary activity. You are responsible for your own safety and for respecting fellow walkers, wildlife, and the environment. No risk or service is inferred or accepted by the organiser. 📱 **If you’re lost or running late:** 07830 374 629

Constellations: An ENM Connection Night

Constellations is a relaxed, inclusive speed meeting event for London's ethical non-monogamy community. Wednesday 22 July 7pm. North London location, N1 [Buy your tickets on Eventbrite here](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/constellations-an-enm-connection-night-tickets-1992768863314)

LONDON: Bushy Park Wander

Join London Wildish Club for a relaxed wander through Bushy Park, one of London’s most beautiful royal parks and home to roaming deer, ancient oaks, hidden waterways and wide open landscapes. We'll follow a **9km** circular route through the park's woodland paths, grasslands and ponds, taking time to notice the changing seasons, spot wildlife and enjoy being outside with good company. Expect easy-going conversation, plenty of green space and a slower pace than city life usually allows. As always with Wildish, the focus is on spending time outdoors, meeting friendly people and sharing a small adventure together. **What to bring** * Comfortable walking shoes or trainers * Water and any snacks you'd like * Layers suitable for the weather * Binoculars if you enjoy bird or wildlife spotting * A dog friend, if you have one We'll walk rain or shine, so come prepared for Whatever the British weather decides to do. Wildish Club is a place for outside people — bringing curious, friendly folk together to spend more time outdoors. A bit like Cubs, but for adults.

London Society TALK - Deep conversations Green Park

Have you ever wanted to gather together and talk about insightful topics which broadens your thinking and knowledge? If so, this may be the right event for you. Welcome to the ‘Deep conversations’ event where you get the opportunity to share your views based on the topics that we may cover. The last time this was executed, it not only went well but we managed to learn from one another which broadened our thinking. We have a new twist: The event will take place at Green park and it won’t be capped. The way it works is you’ll be numbered from 1 - 5 and then you get together in your groups based on your number. The process repeats itself after each topic until the event is finished so it’s opportunistic to interact with new faces and hear interesting views. With this particular event, the topics we’ll discuss are: * Do you believe that there are other species outside and if there’s a time dilation of some sort? * If time travel was real, do you think that changing the past may affect the future? * Time is finite but what if it wasn’t? Would it be worth being immortal? * If you could change the past, what would you change and why? We get so preoccupied with daily life that we hardly have a chance to sit back and think as well as discuss many topics in such depth. When was the last time you sat back and thought about anything in depth which opened your eyes to so many possibilities and broadened your thinking? Now is your chance to share your views and learn from one another. By participating in this, you could broaden your ways of thinking, learn new lessons or even heal if you have your hidden struggles. My fellow explorers, if you enjoyed the event, I’m more than happy to accept any donations which of course are optional but will go a long way to help me unlock and deliver even more exciting and engaging events and resources: https://www.paypal.me/calvinjoy WHAT - Deep conversations
WHERE - Green Park
WHEN - 7:15pm - 9pm
MEETING POINT - Outside Green park station near the fountain
NEAREST STATION - Green Park station
REQUIREMENTS - Just your good behaviour and respect on one’s opinions. Disclaimers: Please be on your best behaviour and respect one another. This group doesn’t tolerate any misbehaviour and misconduct. Should such a thing take place, you will be removed. If you ask a question that either already has the answer to it or doesn’t relate to the event at all, I won’t respond. Whenever an event takes place, I will cut off contact 20 minutes after the event commences. If you message even 1 minute after the cut off time, I won’t be available as I’m conducting the event. There will be photography and videography by myself so if you are photo conscious and/or do not want to be in the video, do kindly inform me and I’ll try my utmost best to not involve you in the picture. Let’s all be responsible but please be aware you come at your own risk. Do be mindful of your possessions, belongings and most importantly, your safety. The ‘London society of explorers’ accept no risk of liability at this event.

Sian Sibely -Black Paths and Green Cathedrals

Explore how to protect and live in harmony with the natural world through a fusion of ancient tradition and modern science. Life on earth stems from the green – from the trees, the plants, and their kin – yet the modern world has become progressively more careless about our green allies. The ecological crisis of the twenty-first century is entirely human made, and yet despite the human-inflicted carnage, we have found very few solutions to this destruction. In *Black Paths and Green Cathedrals* Sian Sibley reminds us of how we can walk symbiotically across the planet, living in reciprocity with our green kin. She lays out practical teachings and magical pathways, outlining ways to reconnect with the Earth, working with the spirits of the land, the plants, the stones, the animals, and with Nature herself. The book draws on the ancient knowledge of pagan traditions, framing it within the context of modern ecological science. Sibley begins *Black Paths and Green Cathedrals* by exploring ‘how we got here’, investigating when and how the human relationship with the earth change. She discusses vital topics such as the extinction of sacred plants, teacher plants, plastic pollution, and more. The second section of the book moves on to explore how we can work with our green allies, the land and tree spirits, to create a personalised relationship with nature, that is nourishing and reciprocal. At a time where the fate of the planet hangs by a thread, this book is a refreshing and essential invitation to reconnect with the earth, and with nature. It is essential reading for anyone wishing to tread the green path and live a life in harmony with the traditions of our ancestors, and with the planet.

LCC Visits The Barbican: The Art and Culture of Panafrica

The term Pan-Africanism refers to a broad spectrum of political and philosophical movements advocating anti-colonial resistance and transnational solidarity amongst peoples of African descent. While it has long been recognised as a galvanising force in 20th-century global history, *Project a Black Planet* is the first major exhibition to consider both its influence on visual art and culture, and the critical role of artists in shaping Pan-African visions. The exhibition presents work produced across Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean, North America and Western Europe, from artists including Chris Ofili, Marlene Dumas and Claudette Johnson. The symbolic site of Panafrica is presented not as a fixed territory but as a conceptual terrain where rupture, dissent, and collective imagination converge in the pursuit of emancipatory futures. **We will be meeting at 5:30 at the Lakeside Terrace around the back of the Barbican** and then proceeding to the exhibition at 6 PM. Please note this event is ticketed however if you select Thursday you'll be presented with a 'Pay What You Can' option (minimum price £3).

Relaxed evening stroll along North London’s green pathways

Join us for a gentle evening stroll along a route that *National Geographic* has named one of London’s top five walks. We’ll pass the 150-year-old ‘Palace of the People’, before wandering through beautiful parkland and the leafy, village-like neighbourhoods of Crouch End and Highgate. We'll wander along a disused railway line that is now London’s longest nature reserve, and finish with an optional drink or two in a local pub, a perfect lead-in to the weekend ahead. **SUMMARY (all info is approximate!)** **Distance**: 8km/5 miles linear route **Duration**: 2 hours walking **Ascent**: 100m **Grade**: Beginner – mostly flat, along good paths. **COST AND LOGISTICS** **Cost**: £8 **Meet**: 6.20pm Alexandra Palace Train Station / Outside the Starting Gate pub [https://maps.app.goo.gl/gX3eUZCShqVvCUw9A](https://maps.app.goo.gl/gX3eUZCShqVvCUw9A) **Start**: 6.30pm **Recommended train from London** 17:57 Dep: Kings Cross 18:07 Arr: Alexandra Palace or 17:50 Dep: Moorgate 18:12 Arr: Alexandra Palace **REVIEWS** [Trip Advisor](https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186338-d19994843-Reviews-AAA_Hiking_Outdoor_Group-London_England.html) \| [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/AAAHikingUK/reviews) \| [MeetUp](https://www.meetup.com/aaa-outdoor-hiking-adventure-travel/feedback-overview/) **PRICE INCLUDES** * Guided hike planned and led by an experienced AAA leader, trained in Outdoor First Aid. **PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE** * Travel costs * Lunch, drinks or any refreshments * PayPal fees **RECOMMENDED KIT LIST** [(](https://mailchi.mp/aaalondongroup.com/kitlist)[complete list](www.aaahiking.co.uk/kit-lists)[)](https://mailchi.mp/aaalondongroup.com/kitlist) * Suitable hiking shoes or boots * Packed lunch and snacks * Water - 2 litres recommended * Waterproof jacket and trousers (Please no jeans!) * Warm windproof layer e.g. Down/Primaloft/Fleece * Wicking base layer e.g. Polyester/Tencel/Merino **CANCELLING/REFUNDS** If you can no longer join the hike, please message the Host listed on here, and update your RSVP status to 'Not going', to allow others to take your place. If the hike is full, and you have messaged us and have changed your RSVP to 'Not going', we will refund you, less the PayPal/Meetup fees. To obtain this, please email info@aaalondongroup.com **after the event**, with the email address you use on your PayPal account and transaction reference. If the hike is not full, unfortunately we will not be able to provide any refund. **QUESTIONS** If you have any other questions, please check visit our [FAQ page](https://mailchi.mp/aaalondongroup.com/frequently-asked-questions). If you are still unsure, contact the event Host shown on this page. We’ve run over 1,000 trips in the last 18 years, so you’re in safe hands. That said, all participants (members and their guests) in any AAA Hiking event or activity are personally responsible for their fitness, safety and welfare, and must be equipped accordingly. If you have signed up for the event, you acknowledge and accept the AAA London Group [Terms and Conditions](https://www.aaahiking.co.uk/terms-and-conditions). © AAA London Group Ltd. Errors and Omissions Excepted [FAQs](https://www.aaahiking.co.uk/faq) \| [Terms and Conditions](www.aaahiking.co.uk/terms-and-conditions) \| [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/AAAhiking) \| [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/AAAHikingUK/reviews)

The Six Woods Trail: Nature Reserves & Hidden Paths | Free Hike 23km (14mi)

**GRADE 🥾🥾🥾 Level 3.5/5** —— **📕ABOUT** Join us for a **peaceful, green London-edge escape along the Six Woods Trail**. 👉🏻A point-to-point hike that links six different woodlands 🌳between **Ruislip Manor and Northwood Hills Underground Stations (Zone6)** This route is all about calm nature time: Forest tracks, quiet nature reserves, open clearings and gentle countryside paths with the soothing feeling of being far from the city even though we’re still on the Tube network. —— **🌟HIGHLIGHTS** * 🌲 **Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve** – One of London’s most important ancient woodland areas, with a real “deep forest” feel, seasonal colours and loads of birdlife. * 🍃 **Mad Bess Wood** – A quieter, tucked-away stretch where the path feels properly secluded—great for that calm, mindful hiking vibe. * 🌳 **Bayhurst Wood** – Classic Chiltern-edge woodland atmosphere: soft trails, tall trees and a lovely sense of being enveloped by nature. * 🌿 **Old Park Wood Nature Reserve** – A beautiful reserve section with a wilder feel and rich habitat, perfect for slow moments and wildlife spotting. * 🌲 **Bishop’s Wood** – A gorgeous woodland network with winding paths and plenty of “choose-your-own-adventure” trail vibes (with the main route keeping us on track). * 🍂 **Copse Wood** – A charming final woodland chapter: smaller, peaceful and a lovely way to finish before we return to civilisation at Northwood Hills. * 🦌 **Wildlife spotting** – This whole corridor is known for wildlife, so keep your eyes open for woodland birds and other surprises. * 🚤 **Grand Union Canal nearby** – Calm waterside atmosphere on the western side of the route with amenities close by. —— **📖SUMMARY** 🥾23\.1km \(16mi\) \| Ascent 490m \| Descent 470m \| Max Elevation 106m **🚊Train - London Underground Only** 😁This is a *Friendly Oyster or contactless (bank card) trip*. No advance tickets are needed. ⛳️ **Meeting Point:** **Ruislip Manor** Tube Station \| **09:50** ⚠️This is a **Point to Point (not Circular)** Hike **📍Hike** **start:** **Ruislip Manor** tube station \| **10:00** **🔚Hike** **finish:** **Northwood Hills** tube station \| approx\. **\~17:00** —— 🎟️ **TRAIN TICKET INFORMATION** * Pay by **Oyster / contactless bank card (Tube at both ends)** * Plan your journey at **[TfL Website](https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/)** —— **💷COST: Free** This hike is completely free to join but participants need to purchase their own transport tickets. —— 🎒**WHAT TO BRING:** * 2L Water * Packed lunch and snacks * Comfortable walking/hiking shoes * Weather-appropriate clothing (layers, waterproofs, hat, sunscreen) * Optional: trekking poles, camera —— *✅***WHO CAN JOIN:** * Our hikes are open to adults aged 21 and over. * For safety reasons, we’re not able to include children. * We love animals, but pets (including dogs) can’t join our hikes. —— **🚨RSVP & ATTENDANCE:** RSVP only if you plan to attend. Please cancel as early as possible if you can no longer make it so others can join. A no-show means you RSVPed but did not attend or cancelled just before or after the start time. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations without a valid reason may lead to removal. Reliable regulars who end up on a waitlist may message the host for priority consideration. —— **☯️STAYING TOGETHER:** A dedicated back marker is not always present, so please keep others in sight and avoid moving too far ahead or falling too far behind. Faster walkers should wait at junctions. The hike leader will pause at key points to regroup and reduce the chance of anyone becoming separated from the group. —— ⚠️ **DISCLAIMER:** By joining, you confirm that you have read and accepted the group policy on the About page. You are responsible for your own safety, and neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage.