Thames Chase

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Thames Chase Plan, our 4th since Thames Chase Community Forest was established in 1990. Our refreshed plan is a strategic document that sets out the vision and objectives of the Thames Chase Trust over the next 10 years (2025-2035) for the benefit of people, nature, and climate. Thank you to our inspiring speakers, valued partners and supporters that joined us today for the launch at the Forest Centre. If you would like to learn more and read the plan in full please click here: lnkd.in/e_fyTT9U Summary documents are also on display at the Thames Chase Visitor Centre reception area. #thameschase @CommForests @ForestryComm @DefraGovUK

After the completion of the construction of two new raised beds within the Thames Chase Community Tree Nursery, our volunteers have been busy planting donated seeds into these beds! So far, we have planted carrots, parsnips, radishes, spring onions and many more. In the coming months, we will be hoping to see these vegetables grow and eventually be harvested. If you would be interested in volunteering at the Community Tree Nursery please contact the Thames Chase Forest Centre at enquiries@thameschase.org.uk or call 01708 642970.

Recently, our Community Tree Nursery volunteers have completed a vital job by clearing the vegetation out of a pesky area. By removing the weeds and adding some gravel we can spend less time weeding this space every year and focus on more important projects within the Community Tree Nursery. If you would be interested in volunteering at the Community Tree Nursery please contact the Thames Chase Forest Centre at enquiries@thameschase.org.uk or call 01708 642970.

Join us in August for a very special event. From Sun to Stars, observing at Thames Chase in collaboration with Havering Astronomical Society:buytickets.at/thameschase/21… 💫🌑🚀🌌 #thameschase #nightsky

In the Thames Chase Community Tree Nursery, our volunteers have been hard at work weeding, and clearing our plant pot storage area. This keeps the Community Tree Nursery in good, efficient working order. To top it off, they also found the time to organise the pots by their size so we can more easily grab the pots we need! If you would be interested in volunteering at the Community Tree Nursery please contact the Thames Chase Forest Centre at enquiries@thameschase.org.uk or call 01708 642970.

Make a day of it at Thames Chase! Come along to our monthly Sunday Market this weekend from 10am. Explore the woodland, play areas and unique stalls. #thameschase

💚 It's Mental Health Awareness Week. 🍃 Step outside and take a moment of calm for yourself in your local green space. #MHAW2026 #ThamesChase

🎉This year Thames Chase Trust is celebrating 53.943 hectares of new woodland being planted across the Thames Chase Community Forest, an area that covers 98 square miles including Havering, Basildon, Brentwood, Barking & Dagenham and Redbridge. During this planting season, Year 6 of the Trees for Climate scheme, funded by UK Government our dedicated team has delivered: ⭐️36 projects 🌿53.9hectares of new woodland planted 🌳79,830 trees planted 🦉8,498m of new hedgerow created 👫359 people engaged with planting 🍃Thames Chase Community Forest is part of England’s Community Forests, a diverse and growing network of 15 forests each working in partnership with their local communities, landowners, and businesses to help nature recover and regenerate the landscapes in and around our largest towns and cities. #thameschase #TreesforClimate #Defra @commforests

Children's events during the July and August school summer holidays have recently been added. Click the link to find out more: tickettailor.com/events/thamesc… #thameschase

To mark the end of National Hedgerow Week (4–10 May 2026), our Senior Programmes Officer Becky shares the vital importance of diverse, healthy hedgerows for wildlife, climate, and community. #NationalHedgerowWeek #thameschase

Come and discover Chafford Gorges on our next Guided Heritage Walk on 5th June: buytickets.at/thameschase/21… #thameschase

As National Hedgerow Week continues its the perfect opportunity to highlight the significance of some of the hedgerow here surrounding the Thames Chase Forest Centre! #NationalHedgerowWeek #thameschase @CommForests

In urban areas, hedgerows contribute to services such as climate regulation, sustainable urban drainage, reducing airborne particulates and atmospheric pollution, and providing wildlife habitat. They also improve the aesthetic appearance of the built environment. #thameschase #NationalHedgerowWeek @CommForests

🎉 We have lots of fun children's activities at the Thames Chase Forest Centre during May half term and beyond! 😀 Click the link for full details and to book: tickettailor.com/events/thamesc… #thameschase

Happy National Hedgerow Week! Recently, the Thames Chase Conservation Volunteers were busy planting two large hedgerows at Eastminster School of Riding. These two hedgerows totalled 126 metres and 630 trees were planted to create them. The hedgerows were planted using six different species: Blackthorn, Elder, Field Maple, Hawthorn, Hazel, and Hornbeam. Hedgerows are fantastic at reducing air pollution, acting as natural fences, sequestering and storing carbon from the atmosphere, as well as providing crucial habitat for wildlife to live and feed on. The hedgerows at Eastminster School of Riding were planted to act as natural fences between fields to stop horses from moving across these fields and provide a habitat for local wildlife. #thameschase #NationalHedgerowWeek (Photos by B Gibson) @CommForests

Back in December 2025, the Thames Chase Community Forest and Abridge Golf Club partnered to collaboratively plant 354 trees. The aims of planting these trees were to improve the aesthetics of the course and increase the existing woodland habitat on site to promote more birdlife and invertebrate species to inhabit the course. Also, these trees were planted to help improve the air quality of the Golf Club as it is situated directly next to the M25. The 354 trees consisted of a mixture of broadleaf and coniferous species, including: Wild and Bird Cherry, Hornbeam, Field Maple, Copper Beech, Sweet Chestnut, Silver Birch, English Alder, and Scots Pine. This species mix will provide excellent habitat for biodiversity, beautiful blossoms and will be able to absorb pollutants from the M25. Over three days, we planted the 354 trees with an excellent team consisting of the Thames Chase Conservation Volunteers, Abridge Golf Club members, and staff from both Thames Chase Trust and the Golf Club. It was an amazing collaborative effort, and the planting was also made even more special to witness the planting we completed last season flourishing as well. Through DEFRA’s Trees for Climate scheme, Funded by the UK Government. The Thames Community Forest and Abridge Golf Club have planted 2.255 hectares of woodland over the last two years. This relationship has been so productive and both organisations are looking to continue tree planting at Abridge Golf Club. #thameschase #TreesforClimate #Defra

It's Day one, happy national hedgerow week! Look at this absolute beauty, found at Thames Chase Forest Centre. We laid this hedgerow a few years ago, and the density of foliage is fantastic for wildlife. A boundary of infrequent mowing on both sides also encourages wildflowers, turning these important links in our countryside into wider, more resilient corridors of biodiversity. #thameschase #NationalHedgerowWeek @CommForests

🌳 Monday 4th May 🦋 Please note our Bank Holiday Opening Hours 10am-2pm. ☕️ The Forest Centre Tea Room will stop serving food at 1pm and drinks at 1.30pm. #thameschase The Forest Centre Tea Room, Thames Chase

🌳 Monday 4th May 🦋 Please note our Bank Holiday Opening Hours 10am-2pm. ☕️ The Forest Centre Tea Room will stop serving food at 1pm and drinks at 1.30pm. #thameschase The Forest Centre Tea Room, Thames Chase

😀Excuse our appearance but it's the start of No Mow May and here at the Thames Chase Forest Centre we are taking part! 🐞Help nature and let it grow for #NoMowMay! Find out more here: plantlife.org.uk/campaigns/nomo… @CommForests