About this Event
There are two Meet The Forest walks today - this is our 2pm walk. For info on our 6pm Night Walk, .
With over 3500 trees, Crystal Palace Park is more than a park – it’s a forest.
On this walk, led by David Charles, an experienced local guide, you will meet the trees of Crystal Palace Forest.
We’ll meet trees that will heal you and trees that could K*ll you. We’ll meet some of our planet’s oldest and largest trees. We’ll meet cricket trees, kitchen trees, and one sacred to the Ancient Babylonians.
This is more than a walk too. Along the way, we’ll connect with a handful of these trees using simple, grounding exercises that help you:
- Settle your nervous system
- Reconnect with your body, breath, and senses
- Feel part of something older and steadier than the modern world
There will be periods of shared silence, moments of guided reflection, space to wander, and time to connect.
You don’t need any prior experience. You just need warm layers, curiosity, and a willingness to walk mindfully in a supportive group.
Practical Details
- Start/Finish Location: Crystal Palace Park Bowl (the Rusty Laptop), next to the cafe hut.
- Please arrive at least five minutes before the walk begins to ensure you get signed in before we set off.
- The full route is 1km. We'll be walking slowly and steadily, stopping several times to do 5-10 minute nature connection practices.
- Please check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
- This walk will go ahead in any and all weathers, except some sort of named storm.
- Please wear comfortable non-slip shoes or boots.
- We will be standing still for 10 minutes at a time. Please wrap up warm.
- If it’s cold, why not bring a flask of herbal tea - it really helps keep your insides warm.
- If it's raining, bring an umbrella.
Access Information
- This walk will last up to 1 hour and 15 minutes. We will mostly follow paved paths but there may be times we use paths that are muddy and uneven.
- If you’d like to discuss access requirements to be able to take part in the walk, please email [email protected]
Feedback for previous Crystal Palace walks led by David Charles:
“It felt at the same time uplifting, peaceful, calming and restorative.” - Gary
“It was invigorating. There is a real sense of adventure, even in a familiar place!” – Francesca
“I really enjoyed taking time to appreciate some of the beauty in the park in a different way.” - Andrew
“It was lovely to really look at the natural wonders all around us, which felt like a special and unique way to experience nature in London.” – Julie
“It was like a mental reset.” - Matt
Photography:
- This event will be photographed. We will use photographs to provide evidence to our funders and for marketing purposes, to help demonstrate our events. Please let us know if you want to opt out. We can offer you a sticker on the day so we can make sure you’re not in photos.
Getting here:
- The nearest train stations are Penge West or Crystal Palace (around 15 minutes' walk). Full details on travelling to the park can be found on the Trust's website: https://www.crystalpalaceparktrust.org/topics/getting-here
Cancellations:
Places are limited so we'd be very grateful if you could please let us know if you no longer require a place so someone else can use this free place.
This project was made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.
Photo credits: Claire Stone
Event venue & nearby stays
Crystal Palace Bowl, Concert Platform, London, United Kingdom
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.