Sutton Ecology Centre is your local nature reserve and environmental education hub bringing children and adults closer to the natural world.

A visit boosts wellbeing, reduces stress, and there's growing research to prove that spending time in nature supports heart and immune health.

Each year we work with 60+ schools and thousands of children at our events, giving them hands-on encounters with plants, minibeasts, and habitats that spark real curiosity and a lasting love of nature.  The woodlands, meadow, ponds and gardens are a great place to explore and get lost in an oasis of calm amongst a bustling town. 

The grounds are an excellent place for a stroll and to find out about:

  • wildlife habitats
  • composting
  • organic and wildlife gardening

Sutton Ecology Centre is managed by the Biodiversity Team. It is the main resource for environmental education in the borough.The Biodiversity Team run:

  • educational visits for schools
  • events for adults, families and children
  • volunteer days and much more

 The aims of the Ecology Centre are:

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

Sutton Ecology Centre Trail

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.

Events, Holiday Activities & Family Sessions

Biodiversity Team staff run an exciting range of events for adults, families and children throughout the year. 

You can see a list of our events on Facebook and on the Council's Events Pages.  For other groups and clubs, you can send an email to the Biodiversity Team. 

Opening hours

The grounds are open to the public from 9am until sunset, Monday to Sunday, all year round.

If you are visiting with an organised group, you'll need to book in advance. The grounds are used for teaching and volunteering by the biodiversity team throughout the week

Advice, volunteering opportunities and information

You can send an email to the Biodiversity Team.

If you want to become a Friend of Sutton Ecology, you can:

How to find us

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.

Accessibility

Disabled parking is available near the centre.  The grounds and buildings used for school visits and other events are accessible for people with disabilities. 

No dogs are allowed, except guide dogs.

You are welcome to bring a picnic but please respect our grounds and take your litter away.

Our addresses

Our site address: Sutton Ecology Centre Grounds, off Festival Walk Carshalton SM5 3NY

Classroom Address: The Grove 4 Tyrell Court North Street Carshalton SM5 2HT

Our postal and office address: Biodiversity Team Civic Offices, St Nicholas Way, Sutton SM1 1EA