This site includes three areas of woodland, Common Plantation, the Clump and Park Wood, with the River Pinn flowing between them. Common Plantation and the Clump lie to the west of the Pinn and are split in two by Western Avenue (A40). Park Wood lies to the east of the river and is believed to be a remnant of ancient woodland.The river provides an excellent wildlife route between nature areas to the north and those to the south of the A40, which is a major barrier to wildlife movement. There is good public access throughout this area and a bridge allows safe passage over the main road.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Common Plantation and Park Wood
Borough: Hillingdon
Grade: Borough Grade II
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 18.88 ha
Description
Wildlife
The canopies of both Common Plantation and the Clump are dominated by pedunculate oak, sycamore and ash. Shorter trees include abundant hawthorn, wych elm, English elm and elder. The northern section has frequent holly and yew. Damp areas support grey, crack and goat willows. The woodland floors are dominated by bramble, bluebell and cow parsley, with some bracken and hogweed. Invasive Indian balsam is frequent in the damper areas.Park Wood's canopy is fairly open and unusually is dominated by ash and wych elm, interrupted by a few tall-grown pedunculate oaks. The wood is particularly rich in shrubs including much blackthorn, hawthorn, spindle, hazel, dogwood and field maple. Below these are bramble and ground-elder.The main riverside trees along the River Pinn are crack willow and common alder. Beneath these grow Yorkshire fog, bramble and nettle and the exotic species giant hogweed and Indian balsam.Facilities
Information; cycle paths; horse riding.
Bluebells © Jan Hewlett
Feedback
Have a question or a comment for this site, or notice anything missing or out of date? Please contact us.