Harrow Weald Common facts for kids
Harrow Weald Common is a special place in Harrow Weald, London. It's a big area, about 18 hectares (that's like 44 football fields!), with woods, open grassy areas, and heathland. It's really important for wildlife and nature. The Mayor of London has even called it a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation, which means it's a top spot for nature in London!
Contents
A Look Back: The History of Harrow Weald Common
What Does 'Weald' Mean?
The word weald comes from an old English word, wald. It means a wooded area, especially on higher ground. Harrow Weald Common is actually a small part of what was once a huge forest called the Forest of Middlesex.
Highwaymen and Gravel Digging
Hundreds of years ago, in the 1700s, this common was a place where highwaymen (robbers who attacked travelers on roads) used to hide. Later, in the 1800s, people were allowed to dig up gravel from the common. This happened a lot and changed parts of the land.
Saving the Common: A Community Effort
In the 1880s, there was a plan to sell off the common. But local people didn't want that to happen! They started a big campaign to stop the sale. A famous writer named W. S. Gilbert, who lived nearby, helped them. Thanks to their efforts, the common was saved. In 1899, a special law was passed to protect it and set up a group to manage it.
Who Owns the Common Today?
Harrow Weald Common is known as Common Land. This means it isn't owned by one person or group. Since 1965, the Harrow Council has helped protect it. Today, a group called the Harrow Weald Common Conservators (who are like a 'Friends Group') help look after this amazing natural space.
Exploring the Site: What You Can See
Grim's Dyke: An Ancient Mystery
The common includes an area called Grim's Dyke Open Space. Here, you can find Grim's Dyke or Grim's Ditch. This is a very old earthwork, like a long ditch and bank, that stretches for three miles. Nobody is quite sure why it was built or exactly when, but it might be from as far back as the 400s or 500s!
Nearby Nature Spots
Right next to Harrow Weald Common, there are other cool nature areas. These include the City Open Space, Harrow Weald SSSI (which is a special geological site), and Bentley Priory Nature Reserve (a special biological site). These places are all important for nature and wildlife.
How to Visit
You can easily get to Harrow Weald Common from Common Road and Old Redding. It's a great place to explore and enjoy nature!
