Mortimer Terrace Nature Reserve
Our sessions are run at Mortimer Terrace Nature Reserve - a secret patch of woodland just south of Hampstead Heath.
Site History
Early Years
This hidden pocket of woodland between Gordon House Road and the railway line was formed in the late 19th century when the railway was built.
The site was privately owned by the Fitzpatrick construction family from 1986, gaining permission to build the small Apostle’s Lodge development as the end of Wesleyan Road, on condition that the main section of land was left as a nature reserve and would not be built on.
Public access was allowed with volunteers maintaining the site, as Trustees of Mortimer Terrace Nature Reserve from 1987.
Recent Developments
June 2019 - The Fitzpatrick family abruptly decide to put the land up for auction with a starting price at £80,000, as reported by the Camden New Journal & Ham & High. In doing so, they cut public access.
The Trustees of the reserve raised £3000 on a surveyor’s report valuing the land at £25,000 and remind all that no planning permission will ever be granted for a site with multiple protections, including Asset of Community Value. This campaign was successful and the site was withdrawn from auction.
October 2021 - now owned by “Mortimer Terrace Ltd” controlled by Mark Hamburger purchased for what appears to be £180,000 earlier in the tax year, the site was put up for auction with a guide price of “£165,000+”. After another campaign, the site failed to sell.
December 2021 - Mark Hamburger approached an award winning local nursery supplier and agreed a 5 year, £18,000 p.a. lease for a Forest School but making it available for local schools to use.
February 2022 - Now with a sitting tenant, Mark Hamburger intended to put the site up for auction with a starting price of £100,000. However, Labour Councillor Anna Wright co-ordinated the use of CIL funds from across the borough to purchase it at a cost of £360,000 (initially reported as £300,000 and £370,000), to the disbelief and delight of the trustees.
December 2022 - With the site only being used sparingly by nurseries and nearby schools, I – Danielle Budde – was approached, to partner to make better use of it!
February 2023 - I started my first Friday Carer & Child sessions in the bleak February weather! Running come rain or (occasionally) shine during term-time, they allow hundreds of toddlers a taste of Montessori-guided Forest School.
June 2023 - I start offering a small number of non-walking baby slots to enable the very youngest to explore and grow with us.
September 2023 - I start running regular Forest School Mornings drop-off sessions to a small number of little ones two days a week. They have a fantastic time and numbers grow steadily.
March 2024 - Camden Council negotiates the early termination of the commercial lease with the nursery provider in July. I am informed Camden are not interested in having me as a direct tenant. As such, the Forest School Mornings are not able to continue after that date.
June 2024 - Camden Council decide to transfer ownership of the site for free to Community Land Trust “Camden Makers” a body with close links to “the Mortimer Terrace Trust” after the lease expires, as well as take steps to declare the site a Local Nature Reserve.
July 2024 - the lease is terminated and I remove the dome, ribbons, storage, pallets, tables, crates, trike, swings & ropes. Digging tools and fire are now forbidden. I have been given permission to run number-restricted sessions one day a week, though this may be withdrawn.
The transfer of the land is expected to be completed soon.