Frays Farm Meadows facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Frays River in Frays Farm Meadows
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| Area of Search | Greater London |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 28.2 hectares |
| Notification | 1984 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Frays Farm Meadows is a very special natural area in London. It covers about 28.2 hectares, which is like 70 football fields! This place is so important for nature that it's called a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It's located near Denham in the London Borough of Hillingdon.
This amazing meadow became an SSSI in 1981. Since 1999, the London Wildlife Trust has helped manage it for the Hillingdon Council. Frays Farm Meadows is also a part of the larger Colne Valley Regional Park, a beautiful green space for everyone to enjoy.
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Exploring Frays Farm Meadows
Frays Farm Meadows is made up of several fields. To the south, you'll find the busy A40 road. To the west, there's the Grand Union Canal, a famous waterway. The Frays River flows right through the middle of the meadows, heading north before turning west.
How the Meadows are Divided
An old railway embankment runs north from the A40 road. This embankment, along with the Frays River, divides the meadows into three main parts:
- The western fields, closest to the canal.
- The area between the old railway embankment and the river.
- The fields located east and north of the river.
Visiting the Meadows
Most of Frays Farm Meadows is open for you to explore! However, some fields on both sides of the old embankment are not accessible to the public.
If you want to visit the western fields, look for a stile on the eastern bank of the canal near Denham Lock. From there, a path goes through Denham Lock Wood. This wood is another special nature spot managed by the London Wildlife Trust. The path through the wood will lead you to the northern and eastern fields of Frays Farm Meadows.
A Glimpse into the Past
Frays Farm Meadows is like a living history book! It has never been heavily farmed, which means it looks much like it did in medieval times. This makes it one of the few remaining examples of "unimproved wet alluvial grassland" in Greater London and the Colne Valley. This type of grassland is very rare and important.
Why This Habitat is Special
The different natural features here, like the river, the embankment, ditches, and hedges, create a rich variety of homes for plants and animals. This is why you'll find so many different species living here.
To keep the meadows healthy, cows and horses graze in the fields. Their grazing helps the land by churning up the ground. This encourages small pools of water to form, which is great for certain plants and insects.
Amazing Wildlife at Frays Farm Meadows
This special place is home to many fascinating creatures.
Mammals
One of the most exciting mammals you might find here is the water vole. These small, furry creatures are nationally endangered, which means they are very rare in the UK. Frays Farm Meadows provides a safe home for them.
Birds
Birdwatchers will love Frays Farm Meadows! You might spot birds like:
- Snipe
- Cuckoos
- Barn owls
Plants
The meadows are also full of interesting plants, including:
- Marsh horsetail
- Ragged robin
- Arrowhead
Frays Valley Local Nature Reserve
Did you know that part of Frays Farm Meadows is also covered by the Frays Valley Local Nature Reserve? This means even more of this beautiful area is protected for nature and for people to enjoy.
