Guided butterfly walk at Merry Hill
Join experts from Butterfly Conservation at Merry Hill Wood to look for summer butterfly species such as the brown hairstreak.
Merry Hill, Bushey
Grab your lucky hat and come along to Merry Hill Wood for a chance to see the rare brown hairstreak butterfly.
Brown hairstreaks were first confirmed at this wood on the outskirts of London in 2024, making it the first modern Hertfordshire site known to harbour these elusive insects.
This event is part of the Big Butterfly Count programme of butterfly walks. The event is free but booking in advance via Eventbrite is essential.
Don't forget
Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring sturdy footwear. You may also wish to bring binoculars.
Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
When and where
- Date: Sunday 3 August, 11am–2pm.
- Price: free.
- Location: Merry Hill, Merry Hill Road, Bushey, Hertfordshire, WD23 1DF.
What3words: apples.wallet.chair.
Grid reference: TQ 13648 94354.
Meet at the upper footpath entrance on Merry Hill Road, just past house number 125. - Parking: we suggest you park on Victoria Road just off Merry Hill Road – a short distance from the meeting point.
The nearest mainline station is Bushey. Alternatively, it is possible to walk across the site from Carpenders Park (London Overground). Buses are reasonably frequent and stop at Merry Hill Road (eastern end). - Access: this event is around three hours long and will cover a maximum of three miles (4.8 kilometres) on smooth ground. There are grassy paths throughout the site and some of these sections can get muddy and become slippery when wet.
Wide kissing gates suitable for buggies are positioned at entrances and field boundaries, though small sections of steps and a couple of footbridges are also dotted around the site. If you have any questions or access requirements, please get in touch at centralec@woodlandtrust.org.uk. - Dogs: well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
