Denham Lock Wood facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Greater London |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 6.3 hectares (16 acres) |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Denham Lock Wood is a special woodland area in London. It covers about 6.3 hectares, which is like 15 football fields! This place is so important for nature that it's called a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It's right next to the Grand Union Canal, near Denham. The London Wildlife Trust helps take care of it for Hillingdon Council. It's also part of the bigger Colne Valley Regional Park.
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What Makes Denham Lock Wood Special?
Denham Lock Wood is a unique place because it's a wet woodland and fen. A "fen" is a type of wetland with lots of plants. The Frays River flows along its edge.
Trees and Plants
In the really wet parts of the wood, you'll find trees like alder and crack willow. In other areas, there are big oak and ash trees. Below them, you'll see a layer of hazel bushes. In spring, the wood bursts with many different kinds of flowers.
Amazing Animals
This woodland is home to many cool creatures.
- In winter, you might spot different kinds of wildfowl (water birds).
- Look closely for insects! You could see bright red cardinal beetles and beautiful banded demoiselles.
- A very rare and protected tiny snail, called the Desmoulin's whorl snail, also lives here.
The Balsam Carpet Moth
Denham Lock Wood is famous for a special discovery. In 1955, a new type of moth for Britain was found here! It's called the balsam carpet moth. This moth is so rare that it's only known to live in one other place in all of Britain.
How to Visit Denham Lock Wood
You can visit Denham Lock Wood by crossing a small bridge over the Frays River. This bridge connects to Frays Farm Meadows. Frays Farm Meadows is another special nature site managed by the London Wildlife Trust. To get to the Meadows, look for a stile (a set of steps over a fence) on the east side of the Grand Union Canal, near Denham Lock.
