This site follows a section of the River Pinn and incorporates the open spaces of the playing fields towards its western end. Much of this stretch of the Pinn is flanked on both banks by dense belts of native scrub and trees. These are interspersed with rough grassland, hedgerow and, in the west of the site, wetland features. The hedges, rough grassland, trees and large decaying timbers at the edges of Ruislip Cricket Club are also included in the site.The site is freely accessible to the public.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
King's College Playing Fields
Borough: Hillingdon
Grade: Borough Grade II
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 7.87 ha
Description
Wildlife
The riverside scrub is variously dominated by willows and blackthorn, with oak the commonest tree. At ground-level plants include common nettle and Indian balsam.The areas of rough grassland support the wildflowers bulbous buttercup, scarlet pimpernel, cow parsley, common vetch, hedge bedstraw and wall speedwell.Plant life in wetland areas on both sides of the river includes yellow iris and soft, compact, jointed and hard rushes. Common sedge, a scarce plant in London despite its name, and marsh foxtail also grow here.The raft spider Dolomedes fimbriatus lives amongst ditch-side vegetation, together with common blue and large red damselflies.The river itself is home to many small fish. Grey wagtails fly along the banks.Facilities
The Celandine Walk passes through the site.
Large red damselfly © Nigel Reeve
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