Historically part of Hainault Forest, this small ancient woodland was managed formerly as two adjacent sites – Claybury Wood and Hospital Hill Wood. Claybury was a coppiced hornbeam wood, while Hospital Hill consists of a mature oak stand. A ditch still divides the two woodlands and the plant community on either side remains distinct. There is a large and thriving population of wild service-tree here. Acid grassland around the edges contains an element of relict heathland.Claybury Wood has only recently been opened to the public as a park, previously being privately owned. A Capital Woodlands project site see related link.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Claybury Wood
Borough: Redbridge
Grade: Metropolitan
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 18.5 ha
Description
Wildlife
Hospital Hill Wood has very little in the way of woodland wildflowers. In contrast, Claybury Wood has dense carpets of bluebells, wood anemone and ramsons. Also here are several locally uncommon plants, including southern wood-rush, common cow-wheat, pill sedge, yellow archangel, butcher's-broom and broad-leaved helleborine.Birdlife includes tawny owl, nuthatch, treecreeper, sparrowhawk, chiffchaff, blackcap and the declining species lesser spotted woodpecker, linnet and bullfinch.The insect life includes several uncommon hoverflies. Grassland butterflies include common blue, small heath, Essex skipper, gatekeeper and meadow brown. Claybury Wood is also considered one of the best woodlands for spiders in Greater London.Mammals include the yellow-necked mouse at one of very few known London sites.Facilities
Information; waymarked walking route (some also suitable for wheelchairs); horse-riding track; cycle stands.
Southern wood-rush © Mike Waite
Bullfinch, male © RSPB Images
Feedback
Have a question or a comment for this site, or notice anything missing or out of date? Please contact us.