Turner's Wood facts for kids
Turner's Wood is a special natural area in Hampstead Garden Suburb in the London Borough of Barnet. It covers about 2.4 hectares (that's like 6 football fields!). This wood is officially recognized as a very important place for nature, especially for birds. It's a private woodland, meaning it's not open to the public, and it's kept as a safe home for wildlife.
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What is Turner's Wood?
Turner's Wood is a small, peaceful forest hidden among houses. You can find it between Wildwood Road and Ingram Avenue. It's a small piece of a much larger ancient forest called Bishops Wood. This bigger forest used to belong to the Bishop of London way back in the Middle Ages.
A Look Back in Time
Long ago, in Victorian times, Turner's Wood was a beautiful pleasure garden where people could relax. But today, it's managed to protect nature. In 1965, people living nearby created a special company to look after the wood. Their main goal is to keep it a safe and healthy place for plants and animals, especially birds.
Nature and Wildlife in the Wood
Turner's Wood is home to many different kinds of plants and animals. It's a great example of how nature can thrive even in a busy city.
Waterways and Trees
Several small streams flow through the wood. These streams are like tiny rivers that eventually join a bigger stream called Decoy Brook, which then flows into the River Brent.
The main trees you'll see here are sessile oaks. There are also other types of oak trees, hornbeam, sycamore, and a few rare wild service-trees. Below these tall trees, there's a rich layer of smaller plants and bushes. You might find rowan, Midland hawthorn, and hazel bushes.
Springtime Beauty
In the spring, the ground in Turner's Wood becomes a stunning carpet of bluebells. These beautiful purple flowers cover the forest floor, making it look magical.
Birds and Other Animals
This wood is a fantastic place for birds. You can spot many different species, including:
- Coal tits
- Nuthatches
- Green woodpeckers
- Great spotted woodpeckers
Bigger birds like tawny owls and kestrels have even built their nests and raised their young here. This shows how important the wood is as a safe breeding ground for these animals.
Visiting Turner's Wood
Turner's Wood is a private nature reserve. This means it is not open to the public. The entrance on Ingram Avenue is usually locked to protect the wildlife inside.
