Telegraph Hill Park is divided into two by Kitto Road. It has a varied, undulating terrain. The lower (northern) part rises quite steeply from north to south, while the upper (southern) section slopes down towards the west. There are particularly fine views across London from the southern section. Both sections contain a good variety of trees, both native and exotic, many of which date back to the original landscaping. Telegraph Hill Park won a Green Flag Award again for 20089. Lewisham Health Walks project uses this site – a Walking the Way to Health (WHI) scheme; see link for details.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Telegraph Hill Park
Borough: Lewisham
Grade: Local
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 4.15 ha
Description
Wildlife
Among the more notable trees are a surprising number of hornbeams; while a common part of ancient woods in the area, hornbeam is not often found planted in parks. The exotic trees include fine specimens of Indian bean-tree, narrow-leaved ash, honey locust and maidenhair tree. There are also many London plane and lime. Of particular interest are a number of Fontainebleau service-trees, a species only occasionally planted elsewhere in London.The upper section of the park has many dense, planted shrubberies, particularly at the edges. These support a good range of common birds, including the declining song thrush. The lower part has recently been re-landscaped. A new pond has been established and planted at the margins with a variety of plants, including pendulous sedge and flowering-rush. As habitats mature this area will undoubtedly attract dragonflies, damselflies and other invertebrates.Facilities
Information; toilet.
A singing Song thrush © Susy Hogarth
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