Sutton Ecology Centre

Sutton Ecology Centre is part of the London Borough of Sutton's commitment to improving our environment and community through the Sutton Environment Network.

Sutton Ecology Centre 2 Sutton Ecology Centre 3  Sutton Ecology Centre 1

Sutton Ecology Centre celebrated their 20th Anniversary last year with a  Big Birthday Bash on Sunday 12th July 2009! It was a great success, with hundreds of local families attending the day.  To find out more about the day and to read the winners from story writing competition, click on the following article link: 20th Birthday Celebrations!.

The grounds are an excellent place for a stroll and to find out about wildlife habitats, alternative energy, recycling, composting, organic and wildlife gardening. The Centre runs educational visits for schools and community groups, as well as events for adults, families and children, volunteer days and much much more.

Aims of the Centre:

  • To create better understanding of our local and global environment.
  • To encourage involvement in our environment by the whole community.
  • To serve as a base for environmental action throughout the Borough.


Take a look at our Ecology Events and Activities for 2010.

View our index page for a full range of what we do, how we came about and what we have to offer.

What's new

You can now discover our grounds by following the Sutton Ecology Centre Trail.  The trail includes the Nature, Heritage and Sensory aspects of our grounds.  Pick up a trail leaflet from the leaflet dispenser outside The Old Rectory, Festival Walk.

Earlier this year we had our pond restored.  After 20 years, the old pond liner was leaking, which meant that the pond was gradually disappearing.  Although the pond doesn't look its best now, it will soon fill with water, plants and creatures.  The new liner means that this valuable habitat will be preserved far into the future.

To Contact the Friends of Sutton Ecology Centre or for general enquiries or about becoming a Friend  phone Angela on 0208 647 3858, or email fsec2008@gmail.com or view the Friends of Sutton Ecology Centre Website (link opens new window).

Opening times

The grounds are open to the public from 10.00 am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday, all year round. 

If you would like some advice and information, please call us on 020 8770 5820 before your visit, as we are often teaching or out in the grounds.

How to get there

  • Train: five minutes from Carshalton Station.
  • Bus: Bus numbers 127 and 157 stop at the end of North Street. 407 on Pound Street.
  • Car: The nearest car park is on Carshalton High Street.

There is disabled parking only at the centre. Access for disabled people is possible to the grounds and part of the building. Sorry, no dogs except guide dogs. You are welcome to bring a picnic, but please take your litter away.

Address: Sutton Ecology Centre
The Old Rectory, Festival Walk, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 3NY

For information telephone: 020 8770 5820

email: sec@sutton.gov.uk

Sutton Ecology Centre grounds

The grounds are an excellent place for a stroll, or to find out about wildlife habitats, composting, organic and wildlife gardening.

Ecology Centre Index

Links to all pages relating to The Ecology Centre.

Volunteering at Sutton Ecology Centre

Volunteers are essential to the running of the Ecology Centre. They come from many different backgrounds.

Community groups

Sutton Ecology Centre is a great place to bring your community group. Whether you're Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Mother and Toddler Groups, Youth Groups or any other group we'll have something interesting for you to do. Most activities can be adapted for special needs groups. Experienced staff and/or volunteers lead all the activities. We can mix and match activities to suit.

History - how the Ecology Centre came to be

The Grounds of the Ecology Centre were until recent years known as the 'Lodgelands', as they were the old gardens of The Lodge in Carshalton. They were used as a tree nursery by the Parks Department until the early eighties, when they became surplus to requirements. After a public debate on the future use of the Lodgelands, in 1987 it was formally agreed to preserve the area as an open space for public use.

How to get to the Ecology Centre

Visiting the Ecology Centre.

Sutton Ecology Centre Eco Code

At Sutton Ecology Centre we try to reduce our impact on the world we all live in by following these simple guidelines:

School Sessions Provided by Sutton Ecology Centre

Sutton Ecology Centre is your local Environmental Education provider! We aim to provide inspiring places to deliver the National Curriculum, encourage children and young people to develop an interest in the natural world, give children a chance to discover Sutton's nature in a safe environment and teach using a variety of different learning styles to include all students.

Activities for Children

Are you aged between 4 and 12 years old? Do you want to have fun and find out fascinating facts about nature? A huge variety of exciting activities from art to pond dipping means there is something for everyone to enjoy.

20th Birthday Celebrations!!

Sutton Ecology Centre was 20 years old in July 2009! We opened in July 1989, and invited everybody to come and help us celebrate on the 20th July 2009.

Story Writing Competition

Read the winning and runner up story of our story writing competition - part of our 20th Birthday Celebrations.

Sutton Ecology Centre 2010 events/activities

Adult, Family and Holiday Activities and Events 2010

Sutton Ecology Centre Map

View a map of Sutton Ecology Centre