Islip Manor Meadows facts for kids
Islip Manor Meadows is a wonderful natural area in Northolt, located in the London Borough of Ealing. It covers about 24 hectares, which is roughly the size of 24 football fields! This special place is recognized as a Local Nature Reserve and a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation. This means it's a really important spot for wildlife in London. The Ealing Council owns and takes care of these meadows.
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Discovering Islip Manor Meadows
Islip Manor Meadows is a large, open space where nature thrives. It's a "wet meadow," which means the ground can be quite damp, especially after rain. This type of environment is perfect for many unique plants and animals. The meadows are divided into different sections by thick, natural hedges. These hedges act like natural fences and provide homes for various creatures.
A Look at Its History
The name "Islip Manor" comes from the Ruislip family. They owned this land a long time ago, back in the 1300s and 1400s. For many years, it was part of a larger estate called Northolt Manor.
Around 1690, the land was sold to a person named Charles Hawtrey. For a very long time, until the late 1800s, Islip Manor Meadows was used as farmland. In fact, in 1880, farmers were growing so much hay there that they produced 100 tons each year!
In 1928, the land was sold to Ealing Council. Today, it's an important part of the Metropolitan Green Belt. The Green Belt is a special area of open land around London. It helps stop cities from growing too big and protects natural spaces for everyone to enjoy.
Plants and Animals You Might See
Islip Manor Meadows is home to a wide variety of living things. This is what we call "diverse ecology." You can find over twenty different types of grasses here. There are also more than ten kinds of "leguminous species." These are plants like peas or beans that help make the soil healthier.
Some of the plants you might see are quite rare. These include the beautiful ragged-robin with its pink, ragged petals. You might also spot lesser spearwort, which has bright yellow flowers, and oval sedge, a type of grass-like plant.
The meadows are also a protected home for a special amphibian: the great crested newt. These newts are important and protected by law. They need clean water and safe places to live and reproduce.
How to Visit
If you want to explore Islip Manor Meadows, you can find an entrance at the end of Arnold Road. Look for a stile, which is a set of steps or a ladder that helps you cross over a fence or wall. It's a great place to connect with nature and see some of London's amazing wildlife.
