Big Wood and Little Wood facts for kids
Big Wood and Little Wood are two lovely woodlands in Hampstead Garden Suburb in London. They are super important for nature, so they are called a Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation, Grade 1. They are also a Local Nature Reserve, which means they are protected areas for wildlife. Big Wood is about 7.3 hectares (that's like 10 football fields!), and Little Wood is smaller, about 1.2 hectares.
Contents
A Long History
These woods have been around for a very long time, over 1000 years! They were probably part of land given to Wealdheri, who was the Bishop of London, way back in the year 704. The church owned this land for many centuries.
In 1911, the woods were leased to the Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust. This group helped create the beautiful Hampstead Garden Suburb we know today. Later, in 1933, the woods were officially given to the Finchley Urban District Council. Then, in 1965, the land was passed to the London Borough of Barnet, which still looks after it today.
Elephants in London?
Before some roads were built in 1912 (Denman Drive North and South), the open field between Little Wood and Big Wood was used for something very unusual: grazing elephants! Imagine seeing elephants walking around where houses are now!
What Lives Here?
These woods are home to many different plants and animals.
Amazing Trees
The main tree you'll see is the pedunculate oak, also known as the English oak. There are also sessile oaks, hornbeam trees, and wild cherry trees. You can also find an unusual number of wild service trees, which have pretty white flowers in spring and red berries in autumn.
Plants and Animals
On the ground, you'll mostly see bramble and ivy, but in spring, the woods are covered in beautiful bluebells, making a purple carpet! Many birds live here too, like the tawny owl, nuthatch, and treecreeper. Listen carefully, and you might hear their calls!
Special Spots to See
The woods have some interesting features that tell stories about their past.
The Memorial Gate
At the Temple Fortune Hill entrance to Big Wood, there is a special new gate. Local people donated this gate to remember 29 residents from the Garden Suburb who sadly died in World War II. This gate stands on a very old boundary line that has been there since the eighth century!
An Outdoor Stage
Little Wood has a cool open-air theatre that was built in 1920. Imagine watching a play or a concert surrounded by trees!
How to Visit
It's easy to visit these woods! You can get into Big Wood from Northway, Temple Fortune Hill, Oakwood Road, and Denman Drive South. For Little Wood, you can enter from Denman Drive North and Addison Way.
