Hanger Hill Wood facts for kids

A path in the Hanger Hill Wood

Hanger Hill Wood is a special, small forest in Ealing, London. It's a leftover piece of really old woodland, located near Hanger Hill Park and the North Circular Road. People can visit it from Hanger Lane or Chatsworth Road. Its name comes from an old English word, 'Hangra', which means 'wooded slope'.

Discover Hanger Hill Wood

Hanger Hill Wood is a fantastic place to explore nature right in the middle of London. It's a small but important part of what's called "ancient woodland." This means the forest has been around for a very long time, possibly even since the year 1600! These old woods are super important because they are home to many different kinds of plants and animals.

A Special Place in London

You can find Hanger Hill Wood in the London Borough of Ealing. It sits just east of Hanger Hill Park. If you want to visit, there are easy ways to get in. You can enter from Hanger Lane, near the pedestrian crossing by Hillcrest Road. There are also several other entrances along Chatsworth Road. The wood's name, "Hanger Hill," comes from an old English word, 'Hangra'. This word was used to describe a 'wooded slope', which perfectly fits this lovely area.

Amazing Plants of the Wood

Hanger Hill Wood is full of different kinds of plants that are native to England. This means they naturally grow here and have been part of the landscape for centuries.

Trees and Shrubs You'll See

When you walk through the wood, you'll spot many interesting trees and shrubs. Some of the most common trees include the Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur). These are strong, tall trees that can live for hundreds of years. You might also see European beech trees (Fagus sylvatica), which have smooth, grey bark. Another interesting tree is the European yew (Taxus baccata), known for its dark green needles.

Besides the big trees, there are also smaller plants like European holly (Ilex aquifolium), which has shiny, spiky leaves and bright red berries. You'll also see European ivy (Hedera helix) climbing up trees and covering the ground. All these plants work together to create a rich and healthy environment for animals.

Wonderful Animals of the Wood

Hanger Hill Wood is a busy place for many different animals. It provides them with food, shelter, and a safe place to live.

Birds Flying High

Many birds make their homes in the wood. You'll often hear the cooing of common wood pigeons (Columba palumbus). The common blackbird (Turdus merula) is also a frequent visitor, known for its beautiful song. Look out for the tiny, energetic Eurasian blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) flitting through the branches.

You might also see common starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), which often gather in large groups. Interestingly, you might also spot bright green rose-ringed parakeets (Psittacula krameri). These birds are not originally from England; they are an "invasive species," meaning they were brought here and have spread widely.

Mammals on the Ground

The wood is also home to several mammals. You might catch a glimpse of a clever red fox (Vulpes vulpes) as it hunts for food. At dusk, if you're lucky, you could spot a European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) snuffling around. These spiky creatures are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night.

Another common mammal you'll see is the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). Like the parakeets, grey squirrels are also an invasive species in the UK. They were brought over from North America and have become very common in many parks and woodlands.