Hainault Lodge facts for kids
Hainault Lodge is a wonderful Local Nature Reserve located in Fairlop, which is part of the London Borough of Redbridge. It's the only place like it in the whole borough! The Redbridge Council owns and takes care of this important natural area.
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What is Hainault Lodge?
Hainault Lodge is a 6.8-hectare piece of land, which is about the size of 10 football fields. It's a small part of the much larger, ancient Hainault Forest. The name "Hainault Lodge" comes from a house that used to stand there. This house was built in 1851 but was taken down in 1973.
A Brief History of the Reserve
The Redbridge Council bought this land in 1986. Back then, it was very wild and overgrown, so much so that people couldn't even get into it! But in 1990, some amazing volunteers started working hard to clear it up and manage it. Their efforts paid off, and in 1995, Hainault Lodge was officially named a Local Nature Reserve. This means it's a special place protected for its wildlife and natural beauty.
Wildlife at Hainault Lodge
This nature reserve is a mix of open grassy areas, called pasture, and dense woodland. It's a perfect home for many different kinds of plants and animals.
Birds You Might See
If you were to visit Hainault Lodge, you might spot some interesting birds. These include:
- Long-tailed tits
- Robins
- Great spotted woodpeckers
- Green woodpeckers
Butterflies and Plants
The reserve is also home to beautiful butterflies, such as:
- Orange tip butterflies
- Speckled wood butterflies
You can also find a variety of plants growing here, including:
- Butcher's broom
- Foxgloves
- Red campion
A Home for Bats
One cool feature of Hainault Lodge is a special place for bats. An old boiler room that was no longer used has been turned into a bat hibernaculum. This is like a cozy, safe cave where bats can sleep through the winter.
Visiting Hainault Lodge
Hainault Lodge is located at the corner of Forest Road and Romford Road. However, it's important to know that the main entrance gate on Forest Road is kept locked. This means there is no public access to the reserve. It's a protected area mainly for the wildlife that lives there.
