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The Rookery

4 ha

Plan your visit

WildlifePicnicFamily
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome4 ha

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • ☀️June — long evenings and clear skies; one of the most rewarding months for a late visit
  • 🧺Good picnic destination in summer — open space and facilities for a relaxed day out
  • Café on site — makes this an easy full-day family visit without needing to pack food

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Bike parkingCaféParkingPicnic spotToilets

Best for

10 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals

Free

Picnic day out

picnic area, café, toilets, car park; Urban park — open green space

Free

Family friendly

café, toilets, picnic area; Urban park — family destination

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Robin, Woodpigeon, Magpie +40 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Robin, Woodpigeon, Magpie +40 more · last seen 2026

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Speckled Wood, Southern Green Shieldbug, 7-spot Ladybird +109 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Speckled Wood, Southern Green Shieldbug, 7-spot Ladybird +109 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

22 signed routes nearby · 4 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Wandle TrailWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Tooting Common parkrunWalking route
Named routeParkrun
Capital Ring (section 04) - alternative for dogs in Norwood GroveWalking route

This alternative route is for those with dogs, which are not permitted on any path to the west

Named routeLocal walking route
Capital Ring link to Balham stationWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
link to Nunhead stationWalking route

signposted link from Nunhead station to the Green Chain Walk

Named routeRef G-CRegional walking route
Copgate Pathpublic footpath · 59 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 59 mSurface asphaltPath type: service
Copgate Pathpublic footpath · 118 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 118 mSurface asphaltPath type: service
Copgate Pathpublic footpath · 166 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 166 mSurface asphaltPath type: service
🚴

Cycling

221 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route (23)Cycling route

LCN 23 link

Named routeRef (23)Local cycle route
Route (232)Cycling route

National Cycle Network link route

Named routeRef (232)Local cycle route
LCNCycling route

Alternative route via Telegraph Hill Park

Named routeLocal cycle route
LCN 77Cycling route
Named routeRef 77Local cycle route
Route (21)Cycling route

National Cycle Network link route

Named routeRef (21)Local cycle route
LCN 23Cycling route
Named routeRef 23Local cycle route

Wildlife to spot

Photos

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