5. Richmond Park
Richmond Park, situated in the borough of Richmond-upon Thames, is an absolutely massive place. At 856 hectares, the first few solo trips I made to the reserve ended in me wandering around for hours, trying desperately to find the main road back to the entrance gate before the park closed for the night. However when I do have my bearings, it is truly astounding.
Originally created as a deer hunting ground for the British monarchy in 1637, the constant grazing by the 630 Red and Fallow deer that live in the park today, easily seen roaming freely and clashing antlers in the breeding season, has developed the site into a haven for other wildlife.
From ponds and streams, lowland acid grassland, and ancient woodland dating back centuries, the diversity of habitats in Richmond Park allow a large range of organisms to survive. Woodpeckers, Kestrels, Frogs and Snakes, Dragonflies, Stag Beetles, Rabbits and Herons, flourishes greatly in this site, which has been officially made a National Nature reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and a Special Area of Conservation. And the scenery is something to behold.
4. Rainham Marshes
Rainham Marshes is a 479 hectare reserve in the east of London, adjacent to the Thames Estuary in Purfleet, Thurrock. This reserve, run by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) is a place of stunning beauty, not only due to beautiful wetland landscape that stretches far into the distance, or the rich bounty of wildlife, but also due to the attractive visitors centre that offers a great view of the landscape (pictured below) and which serves the best coffee cake I have ever had in my life.
Originally used as a firing range by the ministry of defence, after years of inactivity the site was turned into a nature reserve and opened to the public in 2006, and has since become a haven for a range of wildlife; most notably for the Watervole, whose populations have been dwindling in the UK for years, but survive in large numbers on the reserve. Other organisms that can be seen in the reserve include Birds of Prey such as Hen Harriers, frogs, dragonflies, Plovers, Lapwings and Avocets. This incredible marshland habitat is also an official site of Special Scientific Interest, and a place well worth a visit (even if there wasn't any coffee cake).
3. One Tree Hill Nature reserve
In the London borough of Southwark, and a mere 30 minute walk from my home, is the One Tree Hill nature reserve. Much smaller than the first two on this list, and definitely much less well known, this reserve still astounds me in the huge amount of biodiversity that I constantly find in its minuscule confines.
Named after a particular oak tree at the top of a pretty steep hill in the reserve, there is a legend that Queen Elizabeth 1 rested beneath this tree on her way to visit Lewisham in 1602. Although this is likely just a myth, if it is true I bet she found the trek through the picturesque reserve more than worthwhile. From the rich swathes of ancient woodland and grassland habitats, stunning wildlife sightings are common and on my last visit, I actually came across over 6 different Miner Bees; solitary-living bees that build burrows in the ground to lay their eggs (pictured).
From Sparrowhawks, Peregrine Falcons, Foxes, Speckled Wood and Gatekeeper Butterflies (left), squirrels and a whole host of other gorgeous creatures, this small reserve hidden amidst the hustle and bustle of urban south east London will easily provide any nature lover with a rich bounty of biological wonders. And if that steep hill I mentioned earlier sounds a little too much for you to handle, I must mention the incredible view of Central London you can get once reaching the top. And I mean seriously...
2. Gunnersbury Triangle Nature Reserve
Gunnersbury Triangle Nature Reserve is a 6.4 hectare reserve, found in the London borough of Ealing and hounslow, and is run by the London Wildlife Trust. Of all of my many visits to the many nature reserves London has to offer, never have I discovered a site so engulfed by the urban world, and yet is a site that can so easily make you forget about the urban world that surrounds it from every angle. Wedged between two well used railway lines, and towered over by huge office blocks and housing estates, this reserves diversity is truly astonishing. Containing birch woodland, hedgerow, acid grassland, and a small pond, I have on many an occasion found myself forgetting there exists a developed world barely a few minutes walk away as I have gotten absorbed among the green foliage, and the interesting creatures.
Although I have seen a variety of organisms in the reserve, such as Peregrine Falcons, foxes, frogs, common newts, and Jays, I would say the sites most impressive characteristic is its array of insect life. From scouring the wild flowers, tree canopies, and soils of this reserve, I have discovered some wonderful mini beasts, from grasshoppers, thick-thighed beetles, butterflies, Burner moths, Southern Hawker dragonflies, and this beautiful female Stag beetle pictured here.
What I most love about this reserve however is the amount of community support that has gone into its protection. In 1981 this area of land, little more than an abandoned landscape that had been taken over by nature at the time, was been proposed for commercial development. However due to a campaign by the "Chiswick Wildlife Group", the site was taken over by the London Wildlife Trust, and is now protected and managed solely for nature conservation. More recently in 2012, another campaign was created by local residents and wildlife enthusiasts called HOOT (Hands off our Triangle), which aimed to reverse the government plan of building huge luxury flats by the reserve that would block out precious sunlight to the sites plant life. Although this campaign sadly did not dissuade these plans, which can now be seen in the form of grey looming buildings that are far from easy on the eyes (pictured), the passion and determination of the Triangle community is definitely worth respecting and admiring. And if you pay a visit, you will see why they love and cherish it so much.
Before reaching number one, here is my...
Good Natured Special Mention:
Kirkwood Nature Reserve:
The kirkwood Nature Reserve, situated in the Cossal Estate in Peckham, of the London borough of Southwark, is a truly inconspicuous place. Left neglected for years and having suffered vandalism, excess litter, devastating damage at the hands of dogs, and once considered too dangerous to enter by the public due to high criminal activity, it took the passion of the community to turn the fate of this site around.
"Friends of Cossal Park and Kirkwood Nature Reserve"(check out their Facebook page) is a group that was formed to protect the two green areas of this south London estate, and turn them into places that the community can enjoy, and where wildlife can flourish. Through clearing the pond, removing litter, planting trees, carrying out community events and garnering support from other organisations, while getting children from the local "John Donne Primary School" involved in planting projects and nature walks at the Kirkwood reserve, this site has been turned from an ugly environment smothered in graffiti and beer cans, to a truly marvellous nature reserve.
Although the work is far from over, and there is much more conservation required, and funding to be gained, the wildlife has started to return. And now Great Tits and Robins, Foxes, Squirrels, tadpoles, and mice are a common sight.
1. Sydenham Hill Woods
Although I have visited a range of reserves around the British capital, many of which missed out on this list by the skin of their teeth, deciding my number one was pretty easy, as I have never visited any other natural site in the world as much as the glorious Sydenham Hill Woods. Situated in the London borough of Southwark, Sydenham Hill Woods is a 9 hectare woodland; owned by the Dulwich estate, but managed by the London Wildlife Trust.
If you are looking for a place to truly immerse yourself in the natural world, this is the reserve to visit. Upon entering Sydenham Hill Woods, the sounds of the surrounding main roads seem to disappear from earshot, only to be replaced by twittering blue tits, waffling green woodpeckers, and the rustling of the thick vegetation. From all angles tower a range of tall tree species, from ancient oaks, hornbeams, hazels and Horse chestnuts; usually witnessed with ring necked parakeets darting among the branches. Birds of Prey also run rife, and I have personally witnessed Peregrine Falcons, hobby's (pictured to the right on my first day at the woodland), Sparrowhawks, and Kestrels.
Find one of the ponds and other forms of life appear before your eyes. From pond skaters skimming across the waters surface, to huge masses of frog spawn during the spring months, as well as common species of waterfowl and dazzling damselflies, water life is rich in the reserve. Although I'll admit, when sitting by the bank searching for insect life, I have gotten frustrated at the number of dog walkers that visit; their four legged canines inconveniently lapping at the water and scaring away anything interesting on many an occassion.
There is a whole host of other reasons why this is my favourite reserve in London. The site formally had housing on it in victorian times, and victorian plates, building remnants, and other old artefacts from this distant time can be easily found while walking though. Decades ago a train tunnel once ran through it, but since it was abandoned in 1961, the tunnel provides a roosting ground for bats (the tunnel pictured here with some recently added bat artwork on the outside). It also contains a range of different habitats, from woodland to bluebell meadow, and has a host of incredible fungal species that inhabit the reserve in gigantic quantities. These are just some of many reasons why it is so great here.
However I suppose my favourite part of the reserve is this dead tree pictured here. Hidden discretely in the woodland, and having fallen and died long before I started visiting this place years ago, it has provided me with an escape from the public; as for some reason no one but me ever seems to find it. The decaying wood attracts many insects, which I have spent many a few hours searching out between the trees crevices. And it has given me place to sit down and relax, while I watch Birds of Prey gliding, perching, and hunting up above; unaware of my presence.
London is definitely an astounding, and exciting place, But this isn't just because of its iconic landmarks, or its multi-culturalism. This is because the people of London really do seem to respect the wildlife that shares their city. And by these Londoners continuing to choose a city where Blackbirds can visit their garden, where Falcons can nest on their Tate Modern, and where a host of organisms can live among their developed world in these wonderful nature reserves, this city will continue to be a truly remarkable place.
-Thomas Glen
Check out my Facebook page:
Facebook.com/goodnaturepage
All images of wildlife are my own
Although I have visited a range of reserves around the British capital, many of which missed out on this list by the skin of their teeth, deciding my number one was pretty easy, as I have never visited any other natural site in the world as much as the glorious Sydenham Hill Woods. Situated in the London borough of Southwark, Sydenham Hill Woods is a 9 hectare woodland; owned by the Dulwich estate, but managed by the London Wildlife Trust.
Find one of the ponds and other forms of life appear before your eyes. From pond skaters skimming across the waters surface, to huge masses of frog spawn during the spring months, as well as common species of waterfowl and dazzling damselflies, water life is rich in the reserve. Although I'll admit, when sitting by the bank searching for insect life, I have gotten frustrated at the number of dog walkers that visit; their four legged canines inconveniently lapping at the water and scaring away anything interesting on many an occassion.
