Dacres Wood facts for kids
Dacres Wood is a special place in Forest Hill, part of the London Borough of Lewisham. It's a small local nature reserve, which means it's a protected area where plants and animals can live safely. The local council, Lewisham Council, takes care of this important green space.
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Discovering Dacres Wood
Dacres Wood might seem like a quiet woodland today, but it has an interesting history! It's actually a small part of an old canal called the Croydon Canal. After the canal closed, this area became a beautiful garden for a large Victorian house.
A Park with a Past
The history of Dacres Wood is quite unique. Imagine a time when boats floated where trees now stand! The land you see today was once part of the old Croydon Canal. Later, it was transformed into a lovely garden for a Victorian home. This mix of old canal features and garden design makes Dacres Wood special.
Wildlife Wonders
The most exciting parts of Dacres Wood for nature lovers are its ponds and wet areas. These spots are perfect homes for many different plants and animals. In 1990, two new ponds were dug here, and special wetland plants were added to help nature thrive.
The western side of the reserve is mostly woodland. These trees probably grew from the old Victorian garden. This mix of trees and water creates a great habitat for many creatures.
The Purple Hairstreak Butterfly
In 1996, scientists did a survey to find out what insects lived in Dacres Wood. They made an amazing discovery: the purple hairstreak butterfly! This beautiful butterfly is quite rare in London. It loves to fly high up in the tops of oak trees. Finding it here shows how important Dacres Wood is for protecting special wildlife. It has only been seen in three places across all of London!
Visiting Dacres Wood
Dacres Wood is a quiet, hidden gem. The main entrance is off Dacres Road, right where it meets Silverdale. The reserve is usually kept locked to protect the wildlife. However, a local group opens the reserve for visitors on the last Saturday of every month. This is a great chance to explore this unique nature spot!
