Clay Lane facts for kids
Clay Lane is a special path in Edgware, London. It's about one kilometer long. People can walk or ride horses here. It's also a very important place for nature, officially called a "Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation." This means it's a protected area because of its unique plants and animals.
Contents
What is Clay Lane?
Clay Lane is a public footpath and bridleway. This means it's a path that anyone can use for walking, and people can also ride horses on it. It stretches for about one kilometer (which is about 0.6 miles). You can find it in the London Borough of Barnet, a part of North London.
A Path Through History
Clay Lane is a very old path! Records show it existed as far back as 1597. Imagine, people have been using this path for over 400 years! Today, it's a quiet lane that feels like a peaceful countryside walk, even though it's in a big city.
The sides of the path are lined with very old hedges. These aren't just any hedges; they are ancient hedgerows. You can see old oak, field maple, and ash trees growing there. Plants like honeysuckle and black bryony also grow in these hedges. Finding these plants helps show just how old and natural the hedgerows are.
Protecting Clay Lane's Nature
Because Clay Lane is so important for nature, people work hard to protect it. In 2008, there was a plan to expand a nearby cemetery, which would have meant building across parts of Clay Lane. Many people and groups, like the London Wildlife Trust and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, were worried this would harm the environment. They felt it would damage the natural beauty and wildlife of Clay Lane.
In 2009, the local council decided not to approve the expansion. To help protect Clay Lane forever, the London Wildlife Trust tried to get it named a "Village Green." This is a special status that helps protect land from being built on.
After some discussions, a new plan was agreed upon in 2010. The cemetery expansion went ahead, but with much less impact on Clay Lane. Instead of several crossings, only one was built. This helped to keep most of Clay Lane safe and natural for everyone to enjoy.
Where is Clay Lane?
You can find Clay Lane running between two streets: Bushfield Crescent and Edgwarebury Lane. It's a great spot to visit if you're looking for a peaceful walk and a chance to see some local wildlife in London.
