About us

Creekside Discovery Centre

 

Creekside Discovery Centre is run by the Creekside Education Trust, a company with charitable status.

Creekside Education Trust was founded in 1999. The Trust's mission is to work with the local and wider community to sustain and promote the regeneration of Deptford Creek through education, conservation and the forging of partnerships. We also aim to act as a voice for nature conservation and biodiversity in the area.

We are committed to the long-term management of Deptford Creek for people and wildlife. Connecting real people with really wild wildlife. We works with others to promote the long term care of the Creek by:

  • Providing opportunities for access, real information and opportunities to get involved
  • Keeping a watchful eye on the flora and fauna and trying to deal with problem issues as they arise
  • Provide a focal point and voice for the Creek
  • Facilitating sessions on local habitats, their management and the value of the local wildlife living there
  • Offering ecological planning advice for Creek wall improvements and local habitats to developers and partners

If you are interested in finding out more about us or would like to get involved in our work, please contact the Creekside Discovery Centre.

 

Deptford Creek

Deptford - ‘Deep Ford’ - was named after its tidal Creek. As the tide falls each day it exposes almost a kilometre of riverbed providing an opportunity for adventure and education that can’t be found anywhere else in London.

Deptford Creek has a long history of fishing, shipbuilding and dockyards. Trades and industries from chemical works to tidal mills and slaughterhouses have all used its banks. London’s first passenger railway crosses it and Bazelgette’s famous sewage pumping station is alongside it.

The Creek’s waters, muddy banks and flood defence walls are home to a wide variety of wildlife including shrimps, crabs, fish, birds and many species of wildflower.

Visit the Creekside Discovery Centre, set in its own wild environment with a living roof and exclusive access to Deptford Creek via a small beach to find out more about this fascinating area.

Sue Godfrey Nature Park

A wild space with over 200 species of wildflowers, shrubs and trees and a wide variety of invertebrates including butterflies, grasshoppers and crickets…

Sue Godfrey Nature Park was established in 1984 after a lengthy campaign by local residents, including Sue Godfrey who sadly died in 1989. It is a council-owned site which Creekside Education Trust has the contract to maintain. The space is open to the public and is used by the centre for conservation and educational activities.

Management of the site is necessary to maintain the current high diversity of species and habitats. About 75 per cent of the grass is cut every year which prevents trees and shrubs from overrunning the site. The cuttings are removed to keep nutrient levels low; high nutrient levels allow a few vigorous species to dominate at the expense of many others.