TCV
Connecting people and green spaces
Pesthouse Common - Meadow management & hedge care
An activity with Biodiversity Action Team (West London)
Activity date: Thursday 4th June 2026
Start time: 10:00
Finish time: 16:00
Activity description
We will be continuing previous years' work to restore the meadow area in Pesthouse Common. We will be removing invasive and/or dominant species in the meadow, before they seed, to help retain a biodiverse environment. We will be working to dig out brambles and burdock, pull creeping thistle, and remove bindweed from the meadow space. We will also be providing a bit of TLC to a new native hedgerow planted onsite, including weeding & watering. It is a double staggered hedge planted by Corporate Volunteers in March this year, consisting of the following species: hawthorn, dogwood, hazel, spindle, & field maple. It will provide a boost of biodiversity in the northern tip of the site which has previously been managed as rural amenity grassland.
Meeting place
Meet at Pesthouse Common off Queen's Road, at 10am. Look for the TCV van. What3words meeting point: ///clocks.skill.with
what3words meeting point: ///clocks.skill.with
Activity location
Pesthouse Common, Houses opposite: 133 Queen's Rd, Richmond TW10 6HF, TW10 6HF
Site description
Pesthouse Common is a narrow sliver of land lying next to Queens Road. Mature Lime and Horse Chestnut trees border the site. A perennial native wildflower meadow can be found along the boundary with Christs School. The Common is so called as it had a 'pest house', a structure used for quarantining people with communicable diseases. The common, which used to belong to the Crown, originally extended from the bottom of Queen's Road to the gates of Richmond Park. It had, near the site of the present Lass o' Richmond Hill pub on Queen's Road, a "pound overt" (open pound). Goods or cattle belonging to those who had failed to pay fines imposed by the local courts were put there. Pesthouse Common is accessible at all times. The nearest station is North Sheen, and the area is served by bus routes 33, 337, 493 and 969.
Pick Up Point
Contact
Brittany Florence-Bennett
Telephone: 07483050759
Email: B.florencebennett@tcv.org.uk
Website: https://www.tcv.org.uk/london/biodiversity-action-teams/richmond-bat-west/
Please bring
- packed lunch
- suitable outdoor clothes
- suitable outdoor footwear
Further info
We provide hot drinks, so please bring your own mug (and spoon). Booking on Eventbrite is required. Please DO NOT attend our sessions if you have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 5 days.
Site Facilities
- Nearest Toilets - 9-min walk to East Sheen Cemetery public toilet (10am-4.30pm). 10-min walk to Cambrian Community Centre (9am - 3pm)