Saturday, 27 June 2026 at 10:30am - 12pm

Ecologist and trustee of Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust, Mary Wood, will take you on a journey around our beautiful summer flowers, telling you about the landscape, the plants, and how Arnos Vale is cared for. The plants and trees on site tell the story of the development of Arnos Vale as a garden cemetery. The cemetery is a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) and is carefully managed for both people and wildlife. This walk will take in various parts of the 45-acre site, from grassland to woodland, and from managed land to wild spaces.

Please note: we're not a fully accessible site and the tour route will include steep slopes, steps and muddy or uneven paths.

About our tour guide

Mary Wood, both as an original Friend of Arnos Vale Cemetery and an early Trustee, has experienced the cemetery from its days of dereliction in the late 80s/90s, through its restoration, to the thriving community (and wider) venue that it is today.

As an experienced ecologist (now retired) with Bristol Regional Environmental Records Centre and Avon Wildlife Trust, she has contributed to Management Plans aimed at increasing the wildlife and habitat value of this Site of Nature Conservation Interest, while always respectful of its importance as a cemetery.

Mary enjoys being a regular nature, and occasional history, tour guide and speaker at Arnos Vale. She also supports staff and volunteers in their ongoing appreciation of the site's ecology.