Bluebell Wood, London facts for kids

Bluebell Wood is a special little forest in the London Borough of Haringey. It's a small piece of what used to be a much bigger, very old forest in London. You can find it at the end of Winton Avenue, right next to the Muswell Hill golf course and some gardens called the Golf Course Allotments.

This wood is just over an acre in size, which is about the size of a football field. It's always open, and many local people enjoy visiting it, especially to walk their dogs.

Discovering Bluebell Wood's Nature

Bluebell Wood might be small, but it's full of interesting plants and animals! It's mostly covered by tall sessile oak trees. These are a type of oak tree that grows well in this area.

Plants and Trees

Besides the mighty oaks, you can find other cool trees and plants here. Look out for the midland hawthorn, which has pretty white flowers in spring. There's also the wild service tree, known for its berries that birds love to eat.

Animals and Birds

Bluebell Wood is a home for many different creatures. If you visit quietly, you might spot some of these:

• Birds: You can often hear or see birds like the song thrush, which has a beautiful song, the cheerful chaffinch, and the clever magpie.
• Insects: Many types of butterflies flutter among the trees and plants, adding splashes of color.
• Mammals: Keep an eye out for busy squirrels scampering up trees, shy hedgehogs rustling in the leaves, and tiny wood mouses darting around.

The Mystery of the Bluebells

Even though it's called Bluebell Wood, you won't find many native common bluebells here. These are the beautiful purple-blue flowers that carpet many British woodlands in spring. Instead, you might see some Spanish bluebells. These are a different type that have spread from nearby gardens.

The Ancient Story of Bluebell Wood

Bluebell Wood is more than just a park; it's a living piece of history! It's the last small part of a much, much larger forest that once covered this area.

What Was Tottenham Wood?

Long ago, this whole region was covered by a huge forest called Tottenham Wood. Imagine a forest so big that in the year 1619, it stretched over 157 hectares! That's about 388 acres, or roughly 300 football fields! Over hundreds of years, as London grew, most of Tottenham Wood was cleared for farms, houses, and roads. Bluebell Wood is one of the very few parts that remain. It reminds us of the ancient woodlands that once covered much of England.