19 August 2008

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Woods and Woodland around London

Head for the shade: the coolest place to be in the summer heat is under the trees. Young children find it hard to cope in the heat and everyone can become fractious so pack a picnic and a rug and head off to one of London's many woodlands. Many London parks and woodlands have a programme of events ranging from guided walks to music to hands on nature discovery. You are sure to find and ice cream stall or maybe a cafe for a quick refresher and most importantly it will be cool!

London has many woodlands that have been around since at least AD1600. These 'ancient' woodlands are home to a huge range of wildlife: old trees such as oak, beech and hornbeam, displays of wildflowers, and many birds and butterflies.

Highgate Wood

Originally part of the ancient Forest of Middlesex, Highgate Wood in Haringey covers some 70 acres and came into the City of London's care in 1886. At the ceremony, the Lord Mayor declared Highgate Wood 'an open space for ever'. The bird population has increased dramatically in recent years - some 70 different species have been recorded, alongside the foxes, grey squirrels, five species of bat, 180 species of moth, 12 species of butterfly and 80 species of spider. As well as a football and cricket field, there is a supervised children's playground, a cafe and an information centre with booklets, newsletters and trail guides.

Hampstead Heath

Just four miles from the centre of London, the Heath covers 791 acres within two London boroughs - Camden (681 acres) and Barnet (110 acres) and hosts a whole array of activities Hampstead Heath Diary

Bushy Park

With over 445 hectares (1,099 acres) of land, Bushy Park is the second largest Royal Park in London and there is an incredible range of wildlife and habitats shaped in part by its history as a royal hunting ground but also by its many ponds and streams. These are fed with water by the Longford River created in 1637 by Charles I to bring water to Hampton Court Palace.

Greenwich Park

Greenwich Park is an outstanding place to visit. As well being of major historic importance and a World Heritage Site, the Park is also a Grade 1 listed landscape and a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation - in short, a real haven for wildlife.

City of London

Did you know that the City of London manages over 150 gardens, churchyards, parks and plazas across the Square Mile alone? All of these are overflowing with trees, shrubs, flowers and a wide variety of wildlife - and some are so hidden away from the bustle of City life that you would hardly know they are there. You can take a tour of the gardens, enjoy a game of bowls, or investigate London's varied history.

Ashtead Common

Ashtead Common is a 200 hectare (500 acre) public open space in north-east Surrey, close to junction 9 of the M25, it forms part of a larger area of open countryside, which includes Epsom Common. It is an ancient wooded common with over 2,300 ancient oak pollards providing a stable habitat for many rare and endangered deadwood species.

Epping Forest

Epping Forest is the largest public open space in the London area, measuring 19km x 4km, two-thirds of which is wooded and the same proportion designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Epping Forest today combines the roles of scenic open space, wildlife habitat and conservation centre. It hosts numerous activities and encompasses the Grade II listed Wanstead Park, two listed buildings - Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge and the Temple - and the remains of two large Iron Age earthworks.

West Wickham and Coulsdon Commons

West Wickham and Coulsdon Commons is located to the south of Croydon and Bromley boroughs. These wildlife-rich habitats range from some of London's finest chalk downland - a rare habitat of national importance - to ancient woodlands, wildflower meadows, ponds and some magnificent trees. Throughout the year the keepers organise a wide variety of guided walks and events, including the summer Countryside Day, and a lambing weekend in the spring. There also dedicated volunteer teams who learn new skills and traditional crafts whilst helping to look after their local patch of countryside

Richmond Park

Richmond Park at almost 1000 hectares (2500 acres) Richmond Park is the largest Royal Park in London and is home to around 650 free roaming deer. The landscape of hills, woodlands, ponds, gardens and grasslands set amongst ancient trees offers a peaceful respite to visitors. The Park is designated as a National Nature Reserve (NNR), a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

West Ham Park

West Ham park at 77 acres is the largest park in the London Borough of Newham. There is a seven acre ornamental garden, whilst out in the park, a wide range of recreational activities are available throughout the year including sports, guided walks and entertainment on the bandstand in the summer. Each summer there is a varied entertainment programme including free children's entertainment, band concerts, a paddling pool, bouncy castle and a range of sports coaching.

Burnham Beeches Buckinghamshire

Dulwich and Sydenham Hill Woods

Lesnes Abbey Woods and Bostall Woods

Ruislip Woods and Poors Field

Links

Nature Reserves
Tree Council