Sydenham Hill Wood

Sydenham Hill Wood
The folly, a rockery and the path of a former ornamental stream.
Map
TypeWoodland
LocationSydenham Hill, Sydenham, London
Coordinates51°26′10″N 0°04′01″W / 51.436°N 0.067°W / 51.436; -0.067
Operated byDulwich Estate
London Borough of Southwark
Public transit accessSydenham Hill railway station

Sydenham Hill Wood is a ten-hectare[1] wood on the northern slopes of the Norwood Ridge in the London Borough of Southwark. It is designated as a Local Nature Reserve and Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation.[2] With the adjacent Dulwich Wood, Sydenham Hill Wood is the largest extant tract of the ancient[3] Great North Wood.[4] The two woods are formed from coppices known as Lapsewood, Old Ambrook Hill Wood and Peckarmans Wood after the relocation of The Crystal Palace in 1854 and the creation of the high level line in 1865.[5]

The land is owned by the Dulwich Estate, leased to Southwark Council, who lease Sydenham Hill Wood to London Wildlife Trust.[6] Sydenham Hill Wood and Fern Bank are a Local Nature Reserve.[4][7][8]

In 1997 Sydenham Hill Wood was given the UK-MAB Urban Wildlife Award for Excellence.[9] There are conservation workdays and wildlife events.[10]

  1. ^ Evans, Humphrey (28 December 2003). "Secret London: Sydenham Hill - The view from the bridge". The Independent on Sunday. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  2. ^ "London Wildlife Trust".
  3. ^ The Great North Wood - A brief history of ancient woodlands from Selhurst to Deptford by LSC Neville, London Wildlife Trust, 1987
  4. ^ a b "Sydenham Hill Wood & Cox's Walk". London Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  5. ^ Based on post by local historian Steve Grindlay to Sydenham Town Forum Topic: Old Sydenham Hill
  6. ^ "Sydenham Hill Wood".
  7. ^ "Sydenham Hill Wood and Fern Bank". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. 7 March 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  8. ^ "Map of Sydenham Hill Wood and Fern Bank". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  9. ^ MaB Urban Forum
  10. ^ "london-footprints.co.uk". london-footprints.co.uk. Retrieved 30 April 2010.