Local Wildlife Site

Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation

Eel Brook Common
Borough: Hammersmith and Fulham
Grade: Local
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 5.71 ha

Description

Up until the 19th century this was a traditional piece of common land, used for grazing. Today it is an important open space for public recreation, with the character of a village green. This is clearly a popular area for an informal kick-about as well as for social activities. There is also a popular children’s playground. To the south of the main common, a chain of small green spaces continues alongside the Kings Road. The grass here appears to be a little less over-managed, with lots of spring bulbs bringing colour early in the year.

Wildlife

Some old London plane trees on the edges lend the site an historic feel. More recent tree planting by the council has focused on native species, which should bring greater wildlife value in the longer term. However, most of the site is taken up by a large expanse of short mown grass. The chain of green spaces to the south have rather more extensive tree cover, including some fine old Huntingdon elms; this is one of the few varieties of elm to survive the Dutch elm disease in the 1970s.

Facilities

Playground
Eel Brook Common © L B Hammersmith and Fulham

Eel Brook Common © L B Hammersmith and Fulham

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More information on GiGL’s SINC dataset can be found here.

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