This attractive park surrounds St Mary Magdalene Church in Highbury. It has a pleasant, secluded atmosphere, despite the proximity of the busy Holloway Road, providing a sharp contrast with the much more open character of nearby Highbury Fields.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
St Mary Magdalene Garden
Borough: Islington
Grade: Local
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 1.79 ha
Description
Wildlife
A large number of mature lime, London plane, ash and horse-chestnut trees provide dappled shade in summer. Beneath the trees are shrubberies, which include native elder, hawthorn and holly among the exotic shrubs; these are home to a surprisingly large population of blackbirds. In one shrubbery beside the church grow woodland and hedgerow wildflowers such as cow parsley, hedge garlic and lesser celandine. Even the formal lawns contain a greater range of wildflowers than is found in most parks, including bristly ox-tongue, creeping and spear thistles and ivy-leaved speedwell.Facilities
No information available
Hen blackbird on her nest © André Van-Looy
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