The Clearing, an outdoor education space in Lesnes Abbey Woods, has won a Royal Institute of British Architects London Award after judges recognised its community role as well as its design.
The project opened in 2024 and has since been used by volunteers, children and families for outdoor learning, recreation and woodland-based activities. Bexley Council said the space was created through collaboration between the council, local partners, volunteers and the design and construction teams behind the scheme.
A small woodland space with a wider community use
The Clearing sits within one of Bexley’s historic green spaces and is designed as a flexible base for environmental learning, conservation work and community sessions.
RIBA London Jury Chair Susie Le Good said the jury was impressed by the project’s impact despite its modest scale, describing it as an inspiring space for the people using it.
Councillor Rags Sandhu, Bexley Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Leisure, said the award reflected the work of partners and volunteers who helped create a hub where heritage, sustainability and education come together.
Volunteers, SEN sessions and woodland skills
The space is used by groups including Creative Nature HQ, North West Kent Countryside Partnership, Lore of the Wild and Woodland Whisperers. Activities linked to the site include sustainable woodland management, nature conservation, Special Educational Needs sessions, homeschool sessions and traditional crafts such as spoon carving and willow weaving.
Forest Club and Friends of Lesnes Abbey & Woods also use The Clearing as a base for conservation work in the woods.
Recognition for design and delivery
Wonky Architectural Practice’s Wai-Piu Wong credited Gransden Construction Ltd, Stephen Stockbridge of Creative Nature HQ, and London Borough of Bexley officers Lindsey Weaver and Ian Holt for their roles in delivering the project.
The RIBA Awards are presented annually to buildings and spaces that show design quality, technical skill and social or environmental value. The Clearing’s award places a local woodland education project within that wider architectural benchmark.
Source: London Borough of Bexley
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This article was written from Bexley Council’s published notice and checked against the named project, award body and local groups in the source text.
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- 2026-06-04 09:29
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