Norwood Park was purchased from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners by London County Council in 1909, and opened as a public park two years later. The park is interestingly contoured, sloping down westwards to Elder Road and northwards towards the railway line. From the summit the visitor can enjoy sweeping views over Dulwich Woods as they climb towards the Sydenham Hill ridge and Crystal Palace, and far beyond to the buildings of central London and Docklands. Lambeth Council recognises the strategic importance of the park and is now managing it to encourage nature conservation. A very attractive woodland walk has been developed alongside the railway embankment between Salter’s Hill and the entrance to the park alongside Finch Avenue.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Norwood Park
Borough: Lambeth
Grade: Borough
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 13.59 ha
Description
Wildlife
Approached from the western side, with its wide-open field, this park does not appear to be a particularly significant wildlife site. However, towards the top of the hill the landscape becomes far more interesting. Some grand old oak trees on the northeastern hillside are clearly much older than the surrounding residential streets. There are also some fine holm oaks and a thicket of willows and alder in a damp area (which is perhaps a natural spring line).The mature trees are sensitively managed, retaining dead wood where possible in the tree canopy. As a result, this is an excellent site for birds, with all three British species of woodpecker - great spotted, lesser spotted and green - as well as typical parkland birds including jay, sparrowhawk and parties of tits. Now that some of the grass is allowed to grow a little longer, wildflowers such as teasel, great willowherb, pendulous sedge and buttercups can be found here, together with butterflies such as the speckled wood and gatekeeper. There are number of recent records for hedgehog in the vicinity. The park probably provides important foraging and hibernating habitat for this declining species in London.Facilities
Woodland Walk
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