Blackheath is one of the largest areas of open space in inner south-east London, in an area with very few quality wildlife sites. Together with Greenwich Park, this forms a single composite Metropolitan site. Once a vast heathland wilderness and the haunt of Dick Turpin and other infamous highwaymen preying on Kent-bound travellers, Blackheath today is largely comprised of acid grassland, alongside large areas of semi-improved and amenity grassland. Small areas of scrub occur around the four ponds and a small non-native woodland is maturing at Eliot’s pit. On a clear day the view over London from The Point, Blackheath’s highest area, is breathtaking.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Blackheath and Greenwich Park
Borough: Greenwich, Lewisham
Grade: Metropolitan
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 161.88 ha
Description
Wildlife
The acid grassland of Blackheath common contains abundant red fescue, sheep's sorrel, sheep's fescue, common bent, crested hair-grass, cat's ear and mouse-ear hawkweed. A number of London rarities are also present, including harebell, clustered and knotted clovers, and bird's-foot. These species require low nutrient, dry, sparsely vegetated grassland to persist and have restricted distribution in London. The latter is more typically associated with coastal habitats and has established as a result of salt-spreading on adjacent roads. Large areas of semi-improved and amenity grassland are also present and with different mowing regimes, provide structural variations of value to a diverse assemblage of invertebrates. Trees are few, whislt small areas of scrub, of mostly gorse and broom occur around the ponds and old pits. The small non-native woodland at Eliot's pit comprises of frequent sycamore and London Plane with holly, ash, Turkey, holm and three species of oak. The understorey is regenerating with ash saplings, bramble and tall herbs. Several of the ponds support wet marginal vegetation such as flag iris and damp grassland supporting marsh foxtail, a species uncommon in Lewisham.Facilities
Information (on signs); toilets; playground; car parking; cycle paths; waymarked walking route; sports amenities; refreshments
No photo yet available for this site
Feedback
Have a question or a comment for this site, or notice anything missing or out of date? Please contact us.