This is a large open space in Mill Hill, possibly the historic site of a windmill which gave the area its name. It includes a flower-rich meadow and fine hedges. The upper slopes, which command fine views across west London and beyond, are formally managed, with close-mown grass and sports pitches. The lower parts of the field are much less formal, with the feel of a piece of countryside encapsulated in suburbia.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
The Mill Field
Borough: Barnet
Grade: Borough Grade II
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 3.47 ha
Description
Wildlife
The herb-rich, slightly acid grassland in the lower parts of the field are dominated by bents and red fescue, with tufted hair-grass in damper areas. Wild flowers include devil's-bit scabious, tormentil and burnet-saxifrage. The small copper butterfly occurs here, its caterpillars feeding on common sorrel. A small, spring-fed pond has a rich wetland flora, including nodding bur-marigold, branched bur-reed, water forget-me-not, water plantain and water-pepper. Thick hedgerows of hawthorn, blackthorn, elder and holly form the field boundaries, with emergent trees of pedunculate oak, ash and wild cherry. Further trees are scattered around the field, including a particularly fine oak near the football pitch. There are also areas of willow scrub, and extensive stands of creeping thistle. The latter requires control to prevent further invasion into the herb-rich grassland.Facilities
Sports pitches
No photo yet available for this site
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