Franks Wood is a substantial area of ancient hornbeam coppice. To the north, Cranham Brickfields are areas of unmanaged grassland, scrub and small horse fields enclosed by blackthorn hedges. To the south of the railway line is a recently restored and well-planted pond. Cranham Brickfields is a Local Nature Reserve.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Franks Wood and Cranham Brickfields
Borough: Havering
Grade: Borough Grade I
Access: Free public access (part of site)
Area: 42.5 ha
Description
Wildlife
The ground flora of the wood includes bluebell, bramble, creeping soft-grass, honeysuckle and wood millet. A variety of fungi are present including an interesting range of Russula species. The grassland in the Brickfields contains abundant wildflowers such as common bird's-foot-trefoil, common knapweed and meadow buttercup amongst a good variety of grasses and much glaucous sedge. Some dyer's greenweed can also be seen an uncommon plant in London. Wetter grassland areas include several of the more common rush and sedge species as well as pepper saxifrage, and the associated grassland animal life is likely to be diverse. The pond is inhabited by amphibians, including newts and frogs.Facilities
No information available
Dyer’s greenweed at Cranham brickfields © Mike Waite
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