Holly Hedge Field is an attractive flowery meadow. The Copse is a small wood of ancient oaks. Also included here is the historic avenue leading north to Ham House and, to the south, the horse ride leading from Holly Hedge Field to Ham Common.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
The Copse, Holly Hedge Field and Ham Avenues
Borough: Richmond upon Thames
Grade: Borough Grade II
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 11.88 ha
Description
Wildlife
Parts of Holly Hedge Field display sheets of bulbous buttercup intermingled with other wildflowers, including meadow saxifrage, which is rare in London.The gnarled trunks and twisted branches of the oak trees in The Copse contain much dead wood and many holes. These provide habitat for insects, fungi, hole-nesting birds and roosting bats.The avenue to the north is mainly of common lime, merging into young oak woodland to the west. The horse ride (Melancholy Walk') is flanked by dense scrub and trees, providing cover for birds and mammals in an area otherwise dominated by short-mown grassland.Facilities
No information available
Ancient oak tree at The Copse © Charlotte Williams
Ham Avenues © Charlotte Williams
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