Barnet Gate Wood facts for kids
Barnet Gate Wood is a lovely public green space located in Barnet Gate, a part of London. It's looked after by the London Borough of Barnet and is also part of the wider Watling Chase Community Forest. This wood is a great place to explore nature right in the city!
Contents
What Makes Barnet Gate Wood Special?
Barnet Gate Wood is a small but very old forest, known as an ancient wood. This means it has been a woodland for hundreds of years, often since at least the year 1600! These old woods are super important because they have unique plants and animals that can't live anywhere else.
The Trees of the Wood
The main trees you'll see here are tall oaks and interesting hornbeams. Below these big trees, you'll find a lot of rhododendron bushes.
Some of the hornbeam trees in the wood look a bit unusual. That's because they were once trimmed and shaped like hedges many years ago. Over time, they were allowed to grow wild again, which gave them their unique, twisty shapes. It's like they have their own special character!
Exploring Barnet Gate Wood
It's easy to find your way into Barnet Gate Wood. You can enter from a path off Hendon Wood Lane, close to where it meets Barnet Road.
Nature Trails and Walks
The wood is also connected to two popular walking routes: the Dollis Valley Greenwalk and the London Loop. Look out for wooden posts numbered 12 and 13. These posts mark points along the Barnet Gate Wood Nature Trail, which is a fun way to discover more about the plants and wildlife here.
Why This Wood is Protected
Barnet Gate Wood is part of a larger area called Moat Mount Open Space and Mote End Farm. This whole area is recognized as a Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation, specifically a Borough Grade II site.
What is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation?
This fancy name simply means that the wood is a very important place for nature in London. It's protected because it provides a home for many different kinds of plants, animals, and insects. Keeping places like Barnet Gate Wood safe helps to protect biodiversity and gives people a chance to enjoy nature.
