Crane Park Island facts for kids
Crane Park Island is a special natural place in Twickenham, London. It's called a Local Nature Reserve, which means it's protected for its wildlife. This island is found in the middle of the River Crane.
The land belongs to the Richmond upon Thames London Borough Council. But it's looked after by the London Wildlife Trust, a group that helps protect nature. You can find the entrance to the island right next to the old Shot Tower in Crane Park.
A Look Back in Time
From Gunpowder to Park
Long ago, this area was home to a factory called the Hounslow Gunpowder Works. The island itself was made to hold a mill pool. This pool helped power the machines that made gunpowder.
You can still see some small parts of the old factory. The most important building left is the Shot Tower. It was built in 1828. Making gunpowder was quite dangerous back then. There were often explosions! The Shot Tower was probably built as a lookout. It helped warn workers if there was a fire.
In 1927, the factory stopped making gunpowder. Part of the land was sold to the local council, which was then called Twickenham Council. The council turned the area into Crane Park, which opened in 1935. Later, in 1990, Crane Park Island was officially named a Local Nature Reserve. This means it's a very important place for nature.
What You Can See There
A Home for Wildlife
Crane Park Island is mostly covered in thick woods. It also has a pond and areas with bushes and tall reedbeds. These different habitats make it a great home for many animals.
You might spot some interesting mammals, like the rare water vole. This small animal looks a bit like a rat but is very special. You can also see beautiful kingfishers, which are birds with bright blue and orange feathers. Kingfishers are a protected species.
Other birds like woodpeckers live here too. If you look closely, you might find frogs hopping around. In the warmer months, you can see colourful damselflies and dragonflies flying near the water. It's a busy place for nature!
