Gutteridge Wood and Meadows facts for kids
Gutteridge Wood and Meadows is a special place for nature in Yeading, located in the London Borough of Hillingdon. It's known as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR). This means it's a protected area where wildlife can thrive and people can enjoy nature. The land belongs to Hillingdon Council, but it's looked after by the London Wildlife Trust (LWT). They work hard to keep it a great home for plants and animals.
Gutteridge Wood and Meadows is also part of a bigger natural area called Yeading Brook Meadows. This larger area is considered a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation. This means it's very important for wildlife in the whole London area. Two other nature reserves, Ten Acre Wood and Yeading Brook Meadows LNRs, are also part of this important natural space and are managed by the LWT.
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What Makes This Place Special?
Gutteridge Wood and Meadows is a mix of different natural areas. You'll find both peaceful woods and open meadows here. The Yeading Brook flows right through the middle, adding to the natural beauty.
Trees and Plants
The woods are mostly filled with strong Oak trees. You'll also see some tall Ash trees and elegant Silver Birch. If you explore the northern part of the meadow, you'll discover many different kinds of Wildflowers. These flowers add beautiful colours and provide food for insects.
Amazing Wildlife
This nature reserve is a fantastic spot for birdwatching. Keep an eye out for Kestrels soaring high above, looking for their next meal. You might also hear the drumming sound of Great Spotted Woodpeckers tapping on trees. And if you're lucky, you could even spot a bright and colourful Kingfisher darting along the brook.
How Big Is It?
The exact size of Gutteridge Wood and Meadows can be a bit tricky to pin down. Some maps, like those from the London Wildlife Trust and Natural England, show it as about 25 hectares. A hectare is roughly the size of a rugby field. This area is located east of Lyndhurst Crescent and south of Western Avenue.
However, another map from Natural England, called the 'MAGIC' map, shows the site as 'Yeading Woods LNR'. This map includes a part of the nearby Ten Acre Wood. When you add that in, the total area becomes about 31.59 hectares. No matter the exact size, it's a large and important green space for nature in London!
How to Visit
It's easy to visit Gutteridge Wood and Meadows. You can get into the part of the site south of Yeading Brook from Lyndhurst Crescent. There's also a walking path that connects it to Ten Acre Wood, so you can explore both areas.
