Horsenden Hill is an outstanding area of relict countryside in West London suburbia, made up of old pastures and meadows divided by hedges. In addition there are a few old field ponds and several small areas of scrub and woodland, including the ancient Horsenden Wood, where wild service-tree grows. The hedgerows are estimated to be medieval in origin. Horsenden Hill is the highest point in northwest London, with a view of six counties and ten London boroughs from the top. To the south of the Grand Union Canal, an area of grassland and wetland called Paradise Fields is included in the site.The Iron Age settlement on top of the hill is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Horsenden Hill
Borough: Ealing
Grade: Metropolitan
Access: Free public access (part of site)
Area: 138.82 ha
Description
Wildlife
The grassland is botanically diverse and contains uncommon species such as pepper-saxifrage, sneezewort, dyer's greenweed, common restharrow and grey sedge. Ragged-robin occurs in damper areas. The hedgerows contain plants normally associated with long-established woodland, such as spindle and yellow archangel.Horsenden Wood and the other areas of scrub and woodland support a strong population of the nationally scarce white-letter hairstreak butterfly.The field ponds support amphibian populations, including the specially-protected great crested newt. A reedbed in Paradise Fields supports breeding reed bunting and reed warbler.Facilities
Information; car parking; cycle paths; toilet; playground; refreshments; waymarked walking route.
Twisted oak tree at Horsenden Hill © James Farrell
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