This site is primarily a multi-use recreation ground, which contains several small areas of diverse chalk grassland where there are exceptionally large numbers of pyramidal orchids.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Coulsdon Memorial Recreation Ground Grassland
Borough: Croydon
Grade: Metropolitan
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 0.31 ha
Description
Wildlife
The grasslands support a wide range of characteristic plants, including common spotted- orchid, quaking-grass, glaucous sedge and dwarf thistle. Crested hair-grass, downy oat-grass, fairy flax and ploughman's spikenard, all rare in London, are found on this site. However it is probably best-known for its strong population of pyramidal orchids - one of London's largest at over 600 plants.Facilities
Car park; playground; toilets; cafe.
Pyramidal orchids at Coulsdon Memorial Recreation Ground © Mike Waite
Pyramidal orchids at Coulsdon Memorial Recreation Ground © Andrew Williams
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