Burgess Park Climate & Nature Festival
A community-led, open-air climate & nature festival in the heart of South London.
This year's festival took place over two afternoons — Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June 2026 — at the World Garden, Chumleigh Gardens in Burgess Park, opening London Climate Action Week and celebrating 30 years of the World Garden. All activities were free and community-led; the Saturday programme is below.
Climate action in the heart of the community
The Burgess Park Climate and Nature Festival is a community-led, open-air climate event that brings climate action directly into the heart of local communities. Held in one of South London's most historic and diverse green spaces, it shows how place-based engagement can drive meaningful climate action.
Formerly a bomb-damaged landscape of devastated homes, factories, lime kilns, canals and lumber yards, Burgess Park has evolved phoenix-like from the ashes. Today the 56-hectare park — stretching between Old Kent Road and Walworth Road — is home to sports clubs, gardens, open-air gyms, cafés and arts organisations. From its popular angling lake and the Chumleigh World Gardens to England's oldest boxing club and the Olympic medal-winning Peckham BMX track, the park stands as a symbol of resilience, regeneration and community life.
Organised by INDUS Advisory as part of London Climate Action Week — one of the world's largest city-wide climate festivals — the event convenes residents, grassroots organisations and climate leaders to explore practical responses to the climate crisis: globally, and for the park itself, its visitors, wildlife and surrounding communities.
A day of free, community-led activities
A dynamic programme that showcased community responses and motivated climate action at the neighbourhood level.
Workshops & talks
Hands-on sessions and conversations with climate leaders, grassroots groups and local experts.
Guided nature walks
Explore the park's wildlife, biodiversity and history on guided walks across its 56 hectares.
Community clean-ups
Practical activities that care for the park and showcase local climate action in motion.
Arts & culture
Cultural and creative engagements that bring the whole community together around climate.
From the festival
Saturday 20 June
The Burgess Park community of organisations opened London Climate Action Week and celebrated 30 years of the World Garden at Chumleigh Gardens — with free activities, music and exhibitions across the afternoon.
The festival continued on Sunday 21 June — the World Garden photography exhibition, the Community Plant Nursery and the community art drop-in ran across both afternoons.
Festival highlights
Mulberry Moments — free jazz in the garden
Celebrating the new avenue of mulberry trees: Winston Skerritt (bass) and Belinda Braggins (keys) from the JazzLive at the Crypt community were joined by guitarist Maurice Brown for two sets of original music — jazz, folk and world influences, relaxed grooves and strong melodies. Bring a picnic or drop into the Stomping Ground café. Kindly supported by the SE5 Forum and the Camberwell Society, with support from the Nunhead Gardener.
Community Plant Nursery tours
Tour the poly tunnels where volunteers work alongside horticultural experts to produce thousands of free seedlings for community gardens all over Southwark — including warm-season and culturally significant crops. Meet the volunteers, learn what's possible to grow in London, and share knowledge from different food cultures.
Make the World Garden bunting & mosaics
Add your stitches, knots and favourite fabric to a large community wall hanging that will stay up over the summer. Or design your own geometric repeat-pattern mosaic, inspired by the Islamic garden pond's lost tiled design — all materials supplied, with mosaic-inspired work from 1st Place Nursery, Burgess Sports and Art in the Park on show.
Scones, mulberry jam & lemonade
With thanks to sponsor Camberwell TFC (the Turkish Food Centre), the Camberwell Society stall served scones with Turkish mulberry jam and lemonade to round off the afternoon.
Getting there
Where
The World Garden, Chumleigh Gardens, Burgess Park — off Albany Road, Southwark SE5 0RJ.
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Travel
Buses 42, 343 and 136 along Albany Road; or buses along Old Kent Road / Walworth Road and a 10–15 minute walk through the park. Bike locking points and a small amount of car parking on site.
Facilities
Toilets (including an accessible toilet), the Stomping Ground café and playgrounds.
Access
The World Garden is wheelchair accessible and the exhibition spaces have ramped access.
Run a stall, an activity — or just come along
Everything is free and open to all. Want to run an activity, bring your organisation or partner with us next year? Get in touch and we'll make it happen.
Get in touch