Tolworth Court Farm Fields facts for kids
Tolworth Court Farm Fields is a special place in Tolworth, London. It's a huge area, about 43.3 hectares (that's like 107 football fields!). This amazing spot is a Local Nature Reserve (LNR), which means it's protected for its wildlife and natural beauty. It became an LNR in 2004.
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Discover Tolworth Court Farm Fields
Tolworth Court Farm Fields is a wonderful green space. It is located in the Royal Borough of Kingston. This area is important for both nature and history. It offers a peaceful escape from city life. You can explore its open fields and discover the animals that call it home.
A Look Back in Time
This land has a very long history. People have been farming here since the Domesday Book was written. That was way back in the eleventh century! It was probably part of a fancy estate in the Middle Ages.
If you look closely at the hedgerows, you'll see signs of old ditches and banks. There are also ancient trees. These clues tell us that the hedges and the way the fields are laid out are very old. They were here even before the late eighteenth-century Enclosure Acts. These acts changed how land was owned and used. It's amazing to think that the landscape hasn't changed much in the last 150 years!
Nature's Home: The Fields
Today, these fields are managed as neutral hay meadows. This means they are cut for hay, but no strong chemicals are used. This helps many different plants and animals to thrive.
The northern field is often wet. It has plants that love damp conditions. These include plants like creeping bent and marsh foxtail. These plants are perfect for wet, muddy areas.
Amazing Wildlife
The number of animals and birds living here has grown a lot over the years. It's a busy place for wildlife!
Birds of the Fields
You might spot little white egrets visiting regularly. Herons love the water and the wet fields. They hunt for frogs and lizards there. Several pairs of kestrels live here. Sparrow hawks can be seen flying among the trees. You might even see a pair of buzzards. Red kites have also been spotted often. If you visit late in the evening, you might hear tawny owls calling to each other.
Mammals and Insects
Many small mammals live in the fields. These include woodmice and field voles. You might even see roe deer! In 2017, a rare Jersey Tiger Moth was seen resting on a bush. The fields are also home to a huge variety of butterflies and moths.
How to Visit
You can easily get to Tolworth Court Farm Fields. There is access from Kingston Road, near Jubilee Way. It's a great place to visit and enjoy nature.
