Local Wildlife Site

Wildlife

The core of this site is the old Mitcham Parish Church, which lies immediately around the church on the bend of Church Road, south-west of the old village of Mitcham. The original small churchyard was greatly expanded in 1855 and again in 1880 to the north, and 1909 to the east, when the former 'Vicar's Field' was taken over. The present church dates from 1820, although this has been a site of worship since at least the 13th century. The churchyard has some excellent grassland, with some wild flowers surviving from previous meadowland, including burnet saxifrage (Pimpinella saxifraga), primrose (Primula vulgaris), common knapweed (Centaurea nigra), lady's bedstraw (Galium verum) and oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare). Apart from its grassland, there are also a good number of old yews (Taxus baccata). The churchyard is freely accessible and much appreciated by the local community, especially as it is so close to Mitcham town centre.