This site includes a large area of green railslide land, with an adjacent city farm and a tranquil woodland nature reserve. The railsides around the complex junction at Gospel Oak lie at the centre of this site, which stretches as far west as Hampstead Heath station. Mark Fitzpatrick Nature Reserve (also known as the Mortimer Terrace Nature Reserve) lies just to the north of the junction and is managed by volunteers for the London Wildlife Trust. There is a small pond which provides and additional educational resource for the school groups who visit the site. A World Peace Garden has been created by the local community on the north embankment adjacent to Hampstead Heath Railway Station. Kentish Town City Farm is alongside the southern part of the site and it attracts thousands of children from across the Borough and beyond. It also includes an organic food-growing area, an orchard and a riding paddock. There is no access to the railsides, but it can be seen from road and foot bridges as well as from some passing trains. There is free access to the city farm, which is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Public access to Mark Fitzpatrick Nature Reserve is limited to the volunteer workdays or by appointment by contacting the local London Wildlife Trust group.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Kentish Town City Farm, Gospel Oak Railsides and Mark Fitzpatrick Nature Reserve
Borough: Camden
Grade: Borough Grade I
Access: Free public access (part of site)
Area: 6.57 ha
Description
Wildlife
The railsides are varied and support a mosaic of habitats. The blocks of woodland that have grown back on cleared land are dominated by sycamore with ash and silver birch, interspersed with scrub, grassland and tall flowers. Mark Fitzpatrick Nature Reserve is mostly sycamore woodland with an understorey consisting of a variety of native tree and scrub species including elder, hawthorn, holly, dogwood, rowan and hazel. You can also find bluebells and wild garlic, as well as other more common species. A nectar garden has been planted to provide forage for butterflies. In the north-west corner of this area the wild garden supports a variety of planted and self-seeded herbs, and the dominant trees are Lombardy poplars. Kentish Town City Farm has a variety of habitats due, primarily, to its use as an educational resource. Trees present include sycamore, Norway maple, hornbeam, oak, beech and wild cherry, with scrub species including elder, hawthorn, and butterfly-bush. The pond supports emergent yellow iris with great willowherb around the margins. This is home to a healthy population of common frogs. Grassland and grazed areas support tall herbs and ruderal species including herb Robert, common mallow, red and white deadnettle and wood avens. The whole site attracts a varied fauna and this is one of the few places in Camden that still supports a healthy population of house sparrows. Other birds recorded include grey wagtails, crested finch, green finch great, blue and long-tailed tits and wren. Butterflies seen include orange tip, speckled wood, peacock, gatekeeper and holly blue. Greater and lesser stag-beetle benefit from the deadwood habitat present and bats can be seen.Facilities
Farm: Information; educational services; school visits; animal/bird enclosures; disabled facilities; horse riding; toilets; youth clubs; community gardens; events; wheelchair accessible. Nature Reserve: Information; educational services; school visits
Mortimer Terrace Nature Reserve © London Wildlife Trust
Mortimer Terrace Nature Reserve © London Wildlife Trust
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