A famous botanist has been on safari in Nonsuch Park.

David Bellamy OBE took a wildlife ramble in the area where he grew up on Sunday, July 14.

The conservationist who turns 80 next year was joined by other wildlife experts for an exploration into nature’s heritage on the grounds of Henry VIII’s Nonsuch Palace.

The event was organised by the British Naturalists’ Association and also featured Roger Tabor, a television presenter known for his BBC TV series Cats and Dr June Chatfield who is an expert in snails.

Visitors got to experience wildlife ranging from orchids at Warren Farm to creepy crawlies with spider expert Tom Thomas.

As a youngster, Mr Bellamy went to Chatsworth Road Primary School in Cheam where he would pick flowers and look at the butterflies as he walked home.

When he went to Cheam Road Junior School, Mr Bellamy preferred to look at the surrounding countryside and the tadpoles in the pond rather than focus on catching flying balls when fielding in the outfield in a cricket match.

At Sutton Grammar School an inspirational science teacher, Mr Hutchings, taught him that science could be fun.

Before going up to university, Mr Bellamy, worked as a lab technician at Ewell Technical College - now North East Surrey College of Technology - which increased his understanding of science.