Bexley woodland learning space wins RIBA award: what residents need to know

The Clearing, an outdoor education space in Lesnes Abbey Woods, has won a Royal Institute of British Architects London Award for its role in local learning, conservation and community activity.

The award was announced at a ceremony on Thursday 14 May. RIBA’s London jury recognised the project for the way a modest structure has opened up practical access to woodland, nature education and volunteer-led work in one of Bexley’s historic green spaces.

A small woodland hub with a wider community role

Since opening in 2024, The Clearing has been used by children, families, volunteers and local groups for outdoor recreation, environmental learning and community sessions. Its work sits close to the everyday use of Lesnes Abbey Woods: school-age learning, conservation, craft skills and time spent in nature.

Bexley Council said the project was built through collaboration with partners and volunteers. Councillor Rags Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Leisure, said the award reflected work to bring heritage, sustainability and education together in a public woodland setting.

RIBA recognition for design with public value

The Royal Institute of British Architects presents its awards annually to buildings and spaces that show design quality alongside social or environmental contribution. For The Clearing, the recognition focuses less on scale and more on how the space is being used.

Susie Le Good, London Jury Chair for the RIBA Awards, said the jury was impressed by the impact of the project, describing it as an inspiring space despite its modest size.

Conservation, craft and outdoor learning in Lesnes Abbey Woods

The Clearing is now a base for organisations including Creative Nature HQ, North West Kent Countryside Partnership, Lore of the Wild and Woodland Whisperers. Activities include sustainable woodland management, nature conservation, Special Educational Needs sessions, homeschool programmes and heritage crafts such as spoon carving and willow weaving.

Forest Club and Friends of Lesnes Abbey & Woods also use the site for woodland conservation work. For readers following other local green-space projects, nearby coverage of family walking and outdoor learning in Bromley shows how south-east London boroughs are using parks and trails as practical education spaces.

Wai-Piu Wong from Wonky Architectural Practice credited Gransden Construction Ltd, Stephen Stockbridge of Creative Nature HQ, and London Borough of Bexley officers Lindsey Weaver and Ian Holt for helping deliver the project and bring the community into its development.

Source: London Borough of Bexley

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This article is based on Bexley Council's published notice about The Clearing and its RIBA London Award.

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• Confirmed the named award as the Royal Institute of British Architects London Award.
• Matched the location to Lesnes Abbey Woods in the London Borough of Bexley.
• Kept quoted roles and named organisations aligned with the source notice.
• Separated council statements from wider context about community use.

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Bexley Council

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London Borough of Bexley

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2026-06-04 09:35

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Susie Le GoodRags SandhuWai-Piu Wong

#Bexley Council#Community architecture#Lesnes Abbey Woods#Outdoor education#RIBA London Award#The Clearing#Woodland conservation

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