Edgware Way Grassland facts for kids
Edgware Way Grassland is a really important nature spot in Edgware, London. It's about 6.7 hectares, which is like 16 football fields! This area is so special that it's called a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation. A small stream, the Edgwarebury Brook, flows through it.
Contents
Edgware Way Grassland: A Special Place for Nature
Edgware Way Grassland is a unique area in Barnet. It's known for its natural beauty and the rare plants and animals that live there. This grassland is a great example of how nature can thrive even near a big city.
What Makes This Grassland Special?
This area is a "Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation." This means it's one of the most important places in London for wildlife. It helps protect different types of plants and animals. The grassland is mostly made of "London Clay," a type of soil that hasn't been changed much by farming or building. This allows special plants to grow.
A Look Back: The Unbuilt Railway
You might notice some unusual bumps and dips in the grassland. These are actually traces of a railway that was planned a long time ago! It was meant to be an extension of the Northern line from Edgware to Bushey.
However, after World War II, the plan was cancelled. This was because of something called the Green Belt. The Green Belt is a special area around cities where new buildings are restricted. This rule stopped the new developments that the railway was supposed to serve, so the railway was never built.
Nature's Treasures: Plants and Animals
Edgware Way Grassland is home to many interesting plants and animals.
- In the damp, grassy areas, you can find rare plants. These include:
- Great burnet, a plant with dark red flowers.
- Sneezewort, which has white, daisy-like flowers.
- Devil's bit scabious, a plant with purple-blue flowers.
- Along the Edgwarebury Brook, you'll see plants like sedges and water-cress.
- Many birds also live here. Some of the breeding birds you might spot include:
- Yellowhammer, a bird with a bright yellow head.
- Spotted flycatcher, known for catching insects in mid-air.
Part of the grassland also helps control floods. It's called the Edgwarebury Park Flood Storage Area and is managed by the Environment Agency. It acts like a big sponge, soaking up extra water during heavy rain.
Visiting the Grassland
Edgware Way Grassland is next to Edgwarebury Park. While the grassland itself is private land, there's a public footpath that crosses through it. You can find this path from Edgware Way, just west of the junction with Spur Road. It's a great place to enjoy nature and see some of London's unique wildlife.
