Queen Mary’s hospital grounds are an attractive mix of fields, hedgerows and woodland planted with many exotic trees. A footpath alongside the embankment of the A20 gives a view of some of the more attractive small fields, and the London LOOP crosses the northern part of the site.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Queen Mary's Hospital Grounds
Borough: Bexley
Grade: Borough Grade II
Access: Free public access (part of site)
Area: 23.37 ha
Description
Wildlife
This site consists of a matrix of fields, hedgerows and remnant woodland planted with many exotic tree species. Some additional areas of successional scrub and woodland are also present. A few of the fields are relatively species-rich, although continued intensive grazing pressure is having a detrimental impact. A reduction in this grazing pressure would benefit the plants, allowing them to flower and set seed. Plant species notable for London include red bartsia and vervain. Common restharrow, hybrid cinquefoil, grey sedge, thyme-leaved sandwort and burnet rose have been recorded at the site but were not found in a 2016 survey, so may be lost due to the heavy grazing pressure. There is a diverse range of insects and the he hedgerows support a wide range of common birds.Facilities
Walking routes
No photo yet available for this site
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