Edgwarebury Brook facts for kids
Edgwarebury Brook is a small stream located in Edgware, a part of the London Borough of Barnet. It's like a small helper stream, known as a tributary, that flows into a slightly bigger stream called Deans Brook. Deans Brook then joins the Silk Stream, which eventually flows into the River Brent. Finally, the River Brent empties into the famous River Thames. So, Edgwarebury Brook is a tiny part of a much larger river system!
Contents
Discovering Edgwarebury Brook: A Small Stream with Big Nature
The Journey of Edgwarebury Brook
The Edgwarebury Brook begins its journey near a place called Bury Farm, located on Edgwarebury Lane. From there, it flows south, gently curving around the western edge of Edgwarebury Park. It then goes underneath a road called Edgware Way. The brook continues its path through the area of Edgware before it meets and joins Deans Brook. You can find where they meet behind Brook Avenue.
Special Nature Areas Along the Brook
Even though Edgwarebury Brook is small, it flows through three very important areas for nature. These places are called Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (often shortened to SINCs). They are like protected zones where plants and animals can thrive.
The first part of the brook is known as the Edgwarebury Brook SINC. This area is considered a Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation, Grade II. This means it's a very special place for wildlife within the local area.
Next, the brook passes through Edgware Way Grassland. This is an even more important area, classified as a Site of Metropolitan Importance. This means it's recognized as a significant natural habitat across the wider London area.
Finally, the brook reaches Edgwarebury Park, which is a Site of Local Importance. While still important, the water quality here becomes poorer after passing under Edgware Way. This last section is also mostly hidden underground in pipes, so it's not considered a SINC.
What Lives in the Brook?
The Edgwarebury Brook SINC, even though it's on private land, can be seen near where the stream starts, close to Edgwarebury Lane. In this area, you can find lots of interesting plants. There's a plant called floating sweet-grass (its scientific name is Glyceria fluitans), which covers large areas. You might also spot clumps of brooklime (Veronica beccabunga) and water-pepper (Persicaria hydropiper).
You can also see old oak trees along the brook. Experts believe these trees are very old and might be the last remaining signs of ancient field boundaries from long ago.
