South Norwood Country Park is located on a former sewage farm. The nature of the soil has led to the creation of a large area of wet grassland and a sizeable lake. Two streams, tributaries of the River Ravensbourne, also cross the site. The rest of the habitats on the site are mainly meadowland, bramble scrub and hedges.The highest point on the site is the viewpoint, which is an artificial mound created from hardcore tipping from wartime demolition, landscaped in 1988.The site is a Local Nature Reserve, run as a country park by the London Borough of Croydon. Croydon Active Lifestyles project uses this site – a Walking the Way to Health (WHI) scheme; see link for details.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
South Norwood Country Park
Borough: Croydon
Grade: Metropolitan
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 46.83 ha
Description
Wildlife
The country park supports a good range of bird species, including breeding reed bunting, reed and sedge warblers, grey wagtail and tree sparrow. Species spending the winter here include various waterfowl, snipe, water rail, lapwing, corn bunting, siskin, linnet and redpoll. An impressive number of migrating birds also stop in the Park.Over 20 varieties of butterflies have been recorded here, as well as many varieties of moths.Facilities
Information (the visitor centre is open Monday-Friday for schools' use, and on Saturday and Sunday for the public, noon-2pm); viewing mound; playground; designated cycle path (part of the Water Link Way); toilets.
The lake at South Norwood Country Park © Mathew Frith
The lake at South Norwood Country Park © Andrew Williams
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