Syon Park is the grounds of Syon House, the London home of the Duke of Northumberland. His family have lived in the house for over 400 years. The gardens became famous for their collection of rare plants and trees, after they were landscaped by Capability Brown in the 18th century. The park is a Grade I listed landscape. The park’s habitats include pastures with enormous veteran oak trees, as well as two lakes and more formal gardens. The flood meadows between the park and the River Thames are a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Metropolitan site, described separately as the Tide Meadow at Syon Park.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Syon Park
Borough: Hounslow
Grade: Borough Grade I
Access: Public access (entry fee)
Area: 56.6 ha
Description
Wildlife
The veteran oaks are in the western part of the estate. These trees are likely to be of considerable value for insects, fungi and cavity-nesting birds. The lake here has excellent aquatic vegetation, including water dock, galingale and grey club-rush, which are scarce in London. At the water's edge are several species of pondweed. Great crested grebe and tufted duck breed on the lake. In the eastern section are the formal gardens and parkland. Here there is a great diversity of mature trees, mostly exotic. A second lake is found here also supporting diverse vegetation and breeding waterfowl. The grassland fronting the main house is important for its fungi, particularly waxcaps. Behind the main house the meadow has been reseeded and now holds a wide range of wildflowers, including yellow rattle, common knapweed and various vetches and crane's-bills.Facilities
Information; car parking; toilets; playground (indoor and outdoor); nature garden; historic features
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