MHA The Wilderness

MHA The Wilderness An award winning, historic garden at MHA Hall Grange care home in Croydon, London.

The Wilderness is a historic garden created by the Rev William Wilks, who was Secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society from 1888 to 1920. The seven-acre garden is now part of the grounds of Hall Grange care home, run by national older person's charity MHA. The aim of Rev Wilks was to design and manage the grounds as a naturalistic heathland garden. The Wilderness, based in Shirley, Croydon is

a wild garden that is being brought back to life for the local community with support from the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

22/11/2025
Keep your fingers crossed for the weather as our third lantern festival kicks off from 5.30pm this coming Saturday, star...
21/11/2025

Keep your fingers crossed for the weather as our third lantern festival kicks off from 5.30pm this coming Saturday, starting with a lantern procession from Shirley Methodist Church and finishing off at The Wilderness.

Visitors can also wander around the garden and see our larger lanterns displayed around the garden.

Bring your own lantern, or borrow one of ours to take part in the procession.

No booking necessary but please do dress up warm!

This event is FREE, though we welcome donations to help support future events and on going development of our wild garden.

Join Catherine Pestano from Creative Croydon in an outdoor Singing In Nature Session based in our outdoor classroom between 6.45 and 7.15pm. 🎶

Warm drinks and cakes available in our cabin.

Last entrance to the garden is 7pm and the garden closes at 7.30pm.

In partnership with Shirley Methodist Church and Amnesty International.

Our third lantern festival kicks off from 5.30pm this coming Saturday, starting with a lantern procession from Shirley M...
19/11/2025

Our third lantern festival kicks off from 5.30pm this coming Saturday, starting with a lantern procession from Shirley Methodist Church and finishing off at The Wilderness.

Visitors can also wander around the garden and see our larger lanterns displayed around the garden.

Bring your own lantern, or borrow one of ours to take part in the procession.

This event is FREE, though we welcome donations to help support future events and on going development of our wild garden.

Join Catherine Pestano from Creative Croydon in an outdoor Singing In Nature Session based in our outdoor classroom between 6.45 and 7.15pm. 🎶

Warm drinks and cakes available in our cabin.

Last entrance to the garden is 7pm and the garden closes at 7.30pm.

In partnership with Shirley Methodist Church and Amnesty International.

WREATH MAKING WORKSHOPS AT THE WILDERNESSExplore your creativity and join Maggie Hart in our cosy cabin to make your ver...
18/11/2025

WREATH MAKING WORKSHOPS AT THE WILDERNESS

Explore your creativity and join Maggie Hart in our cosy cabin to make your very own beautiful and unique wreath.

Dates:

Friday 28th November 7 - 9.30pm
Saturday 29th November 10.30am - 1pm

Cost: £55 per person, including all materials and festive refreshments.

To book your place contact Maggie at:
[email protected]

Make your own unique lantern in one of our workshops to keep and bring along to our FREE lantern procession and festival...
17/11/2025

Make your own unique lantern in one of our workshops to keep and bring along to our FREE lantern procession and festival on Saturday 22nd November 5.30 - 7.30 pm.

We have added an extra workshop date on Tuesday 18th November 5-7pm taking place at The Wilderness. Places are still available.

If you don't have a lantern, don't worry we have plenty of ones to borrow for the evening!

The procession starts from Shirley Methodist Church at 5.30pm and finishes at The Wilderness, where our larger lanterns are displayed around the garden.

Warm drinks and cakes available in our cabin.

Cost per person to take part in one of our lantern workshops is £5 + booking fee.

Book your place at:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lantern-festival-workshops-tickets-1657227765859?aff=oddtdtcreator

Or email: [email protected]

You can also purchase DIY lantern kits with full instructions for £3.00 each.

Make your own unique lantern in one of our workshops to keep and bring along to our FREE lantern procession and festival...
15/11/2025

Make your own unique lantern in one of our workshops to keep and bring along to our FREE lantern procession and festival on Saturday 22nd November 5.30 - 7.30 pm.

We have added an extra workshop date on Tuesday 18th November 5-7pm taking place at The Wilderness.

If you don't have a lantern, don't worry we have plenty of ones to borrow for the evening!

The procession starts from Shirley Methodist Church at 5.30pm and finishes at The Wilderness, where our larger lanterns are displayed around the garden.

Warm drinks and cakes available in our cabin.

Cost per person to take part in one of our lantern workshops is £5 + booking fee.

Book your place at:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lantern-festival-workshops-tickets-1657227765859?aff=oddtdtcreator

Or email: [email protected]

You can also purchase DIY lantern kits with full instructions for £3.00 each.

Make your own unique lantern in one of our workshops to keep and bring along to our lantern procession and festival on S...
10/11/2025

Make your own unique lantern in one of our workshops to keep and bring along to our lantern procession and festival on Saturday 22nd November 5.30 - 7.30 pm.

The procession starts from Shirley Methodist Church at 5.30pm and finishes at The Wilderness, where our larger lanterns are displayed around the garden.

Cost per person to take part in one of our lantern workshops is £5 + booking fee.

Book your place at:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lantern-festival-workshops-tickets-1657227765859?aff=oddtdtcreator

Or email: [email protected]

You can also purchase DIY lantern kits with full instructions for £3.00 each.

Join us at The Wilderness for a mobility friendly   stroll around the garden.  This is an opportunity to slow down,  be ...
08/11/2025

Join us at The Wilderness for a mobility friendly stroll around the garden. This is an opportunity to slow down, be in the moment, and engage with your senses and the wonders of Autumn around you. 🍂🍄🍁

For more details and book your place visit:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/parkbathe-34393467709

Join Creative Therapist, Bev McGarey, for a series of 3 creative workshops in our cosy cabin.   The cost is £60.To book ...
07/11/2025

Join Creative Therapist, Bev McGarey, for a series of 3 creative workshops in our cosy cabin.

The cost is £60.

To book your place, email: [email protected]

Join Lynette for a FREE mobility friendly mindful walk at The Wilderness on Monday 27th October at 11am in partnership w...
25/10/2025

Join Lynette for a FREE mobility friendly mindful walk at The Wilderness on Monday 27th October at 11am in partnership wit@parkbathe

Re-engage with your senses and slow down from the usual frenzy of everyday life. Focusing on the beauty of the changing of the seasons as we head into winter in the garden.

For further details and to book your place, visit:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mindful-stroll-in-mha-the-wilderness-all-mobilities-welcome-tickets-1054234316219?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Or you can drop in on the day.

Address

17 Shirley Church Road
Croydon
CR95AL

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