Nature Calling

A national arts programme connecting and deepening engagement with the landscape

Try the new interactive nature trails here!

Dawn After Night, Spring After Winter

Artists David Blandy & Daniel Locke have created two new story game trails, one for Hutchinson’s Bank Nature Reserve in New Addington, Croydon and the other for Box Hill in Surrey. The trails are accessible via QR codes on the colourful plaques along the routes. They are also accessible online and in free booklets. Pick up a booklet from New Addington Library or from the Shepherd’s Hut at Box Hill.

Their project title comes from this quotation from the environmental writer Rachel Carson.

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” Rachel Carson

The artists met with local groups including children from Rowdown Primary School and Good Shepherd Primary Schools as well as an elder’s group from Good Food Matters. Together they explored the surprising wilds of Hutchinson’s Bank nature reserve, making artwork together once back at school. It was the first time that many of the children had visited the site, and it was so good to see that they absolutely loved it!

We strongly believe that everyone should have the right to feel at home in nature, to feel the sense of wellbeing that comes from spending time outdoors.
Blandy & Locke

All of these interactions have fed into their work on the game in addition to researching local species; plants, butterflies, insects and birds and taking inspiration from vintage nature books.

Trail Launch Events

The Hutchinson’s Bank Trail Launch in May 2025 featured artist guided walks, forest school activity, BSL guided walk and Meet the artists. The Box Hill Trail Launch in July 2025 featured immersive theatrical experiences throughout the day led by KIT Theatre. Attendees journeyed through the woodland adding their findings to their handmade journals. They saw dance by Aaron Baksh and Tilly Woodward, wearable sculpture by Olana Light, community dance with young performers from Legacy Youth Zone and Still Shadey performing his special commission ‘Nature’s Anthem’.

Nature Calling Commission – ‘Nature’s Anthem – a Journey through the Surrey Hills’ by Still Shadey

This captivating work draws on heartfelt conversations with New Addington residents about their experiences of nature, as well as Shadey’s visits to the Surrey Hills. Combining stories of childhood, community trauma, and healing, the piece delivers a profound message of hope and inspiration.

“Working on the Nature Calling project has been transformational. It’s been a recent desire of mine to tell stories beyond my own. Being able to experience the Surrey Hills from a writer’s perspective has been therapeutic and energising for me. I look forward to the rollout of this amazing project and am deeply proud of the piece that I was able to create”

This poetic rap, captures the essence of the Surrey Hills. Filmed at Box Hill, a site integral to his creative process, the performance showcases the landscape’s profound influence on his work.

Movement in the Landscape

Year 3 children from New Addington’s Fairchildes primary school explored their local landscape Addington Hills, as a step towards the Surrey Hills National Landscape. Led by contemporary dance artist, Aaron Baksh, the children replicated the shapes, sizes and motions of the environment, through dance. Ameena Rojee captured the experience through photography.

“I most loved the part in the field. It was seeing and hearing all the bees humming and the fox gloves like little bells covered in fur. It lured me into this open area and felt so good. I just like being in nature”
Nphina

The Movement in the Landscape exhibition of photographs took place at New Addington Library, Autumn and at the Surrey Hills Symposium in November 2024.

Surrey Hills is one of 6 major hubs across England taking part in this ground-breaking £2M art project.

Nature Calling aims to inspire new communities to connect with their local National Landscape, increase their access to nature, improve their wellbeing and inspire a sense of belonging in these special places. The project is funded by Arts Council England and Defra (Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs), as well as National Landscapes in England. Partners include the National Landscape Association, Activate Performing Arts and the Poetry School

Nature Calling brings together the 34 National Landscapes in England, local arts organisations and community groups from within a 30-minute journey time of their nearby National Landscape. In Surrey, we are engaging with the New Addington community in Croydon working together to co-create artworks inspired by our iconic landscape as well as wild areas on their doorstep. The results will be shared with the public as part of a national season of art from May – October 2025. Around 70,000 people will take part.

Our Nature Calling Artists

Still Shadey

The starting point for the national programme was words and rap artist Still Shadey created ‘Nature’s Anthem: A Journey Through the Surrey Hills’

‘Growing up in the diverse community of New Addington, I experienced firsthand the power of nature as a source of healing and inspiration. Raised by Nigerian migrant parents, my connection to nature was limited due to various barriers, but those rare moments
spent in green spaces left a profound impact on me. Through this project, I aim to share that transformative experience with others, particularly those from underrepresented communities’

Still Shadey

Blandy & Locke

Our selected artists are David Blandy & Daniel Locke who have been collaborating on multiple projects for the past decade, alongside their own solo art practices.

Making art around environmental science, collaborating with communities and directly addressing climate change, their work includes the graphic novel, Out of Nothing, published by Nobrow; the role play games Lone Eons and The World After.

‘We are really excited to be working on the commission for Nature Calling. Our work has always been shaped by our own environmental concerns and our understanding of the importance of having a deep connection to the natural world. We hope to inspire people to enjoy exploring their surroundings, to find escape, meaning and each other through the landscape.’
Blandy & Locke

National Landscapes are the UK’s nearby countryside. 66% of people in England (44 million) live within 30 minutes of a National Landscape, over 1 million people live within them and at least 170 million people visit every year. Nature Calling aims to reach out and encourage even more communities to feel welcome to enjoy these special places and on their own terms.

Find out more about Nature Calling on the dedicated website www.naturecalling.org.uk

Find out more about the other National Landscape hubs and their work here:

With thanks to the teams at the National Landscapes Association, Activate Arts, Claire Barrett & Hannah Chater for their work on Dawn After Night, Spring After Winter, all our partners and funders.

Project supported by: