About us

Established in 1994, The Holly Lodge Centre provides nearly 8,500 visitors each year a hands-on encounter with Richmond Park’s nature and heritage

In the restful setting of Richmond Park, The Holly Lodge Centre offers a range of educational activities for groups of children, young people and adults – particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities – focused on the nature and heritage of the Park.

Ways you can support us

What we do

We run activities suitable for mainstream and specialist schools, and for community groups.  We also have art and gardening activities for people of all ages with disabilities, and offer an additional holiday programme.

Sessions include:

  • Outdoor science workshops using the Centre’s nature trail and Richmond Park
  • Victorian activities where visitors learn about life in the 19th century
  • Art and gardening including learning across the seasons
  • Bespoke sensory sessions for children with disabilities

Our hands-on approach engages visitors.  Children up to the age of 11 will feel their National Curriculum coming to life.  Visitors can expect to leave the Centre better informed, having obtained new skills and been inspired to want to learn more.

We have been awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Award.

Take a look at our video to find out more.

Read our latest Annual Education Report 2023-24 for information on our work with children, adults and communities during 2023-24

Who we are

Supported by over 80 volunteers, 5 staff members and our board of Trustees. The Holly Lodge Centre’s volunteers are the heart of the organisation and fulfil a wide range of roles.

Our volunteers contribute anything from two hours a fortnight to two days a week helping. Combined, they contribute over 6,000 hours a year, equivalent to £49,260 (valued at the London living wage). If you are interested in volunteering at the Centre, please contact us.

The Centre is governed by a board of Trustees who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge.

Chair James Middlehurst, Treasurer Alain Dennez, Secretary Andrew Blessley, Anne Roberts, Robert Scalzo, Robert Holmes and Roger Hillyer.

HRH Princess Alexandra has been the Centre’s Royal Patron since 2007. Other patrons include Mike Fitt OBE (Founding Patron), Sir David Attenborough, Peter Davison, Baroness Susan Kramer, Robert Holmes and Adrian Mills.

Meet our staff

Sarah Clark

Centre Manager (on maternity leave)

Jaime Walsh

Centre Manager (maternity cover)

Alex Sharp

Centre Manager

Astrid Hilne

Education Coordinator

Nicky d’Offay

Education Coordinator

Lyndsey Hamilton

Education Coordinator

The Holly Lodge Team

Our facilities

Accessible facilities

  • three indoor classrooms: a general activity room, a Victorian schoolroom and a replica Victorian pharmacy
  • a nature trail with dipping ponds, a Victorian garden, and a picnic lawn
  • accessible toilets for people with disabilities

The Centre occupies buildings behind Holly Lodge, which is the site of an 18th century farm. We are to the rear of the yard, behind the Parks management offices and stables. The whole area is secure and wheelchair-accessible, with car parking available.

Outdoors

  • ponds including a raised pond
  • nature trail
  • Victorian kitchen garden and greenhouse
  • picnic lawn and stage with a huge mural backdrop of Richmond Park

Indoors

  • large, well-lit activity room with tables and seating for approximately 35 people
  • Victorian school room – a room recreated in Victorian style. A hearing loop is fitted
  • Victorian Pharmacy (‘Philip Palmer’s Chymist’) reconstructed from the original shop
  • excellent toilet facilities for people with disabilities, with full size changing bed and hoist

A short film about The Holly Lodge Centre

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