The finest single-site nature reserve in Ealing in terms of biodiversity, Horsenden covers 100ha in the north of the borough split equally on either side of the ancient trackway which is now Horsenden Lane North.
The hill to the east is the highest point in Ealing at 85m above sea level and the summit is a scheduled ancient monument; an Iron Age settlement.
Horsenden Wood is an ancient woodland dating back to at least the 1400s, holding several ancient woodland indicators such as Wild Service Tree, Midland Hawthorn, Bluebells and Wood Anemone. April is the time to visit for the last two.
On the south side of the hill are two important grasslands Home and Long Mead, examples of rare semi-natural neutral grassland. Home to a wide range of wildflowers these fields were the first to be grazed with cattle in recent times. One important plant for London growing here is Dyers’ Greenweed. The London Natural History Society’s botanist rates the area as the best in London for this species. Home and Long Mead are also home to many Yellow Meadow Ant hills.
The fields to the west of the lane are flower meadows, many extant on a 1775 map of the area. Many of the hedgerows are reckoned to be at least 600 years old. The fields were chosen as London’s Coronation meadows in 2013 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the late Queen’s coronation.
The meadows are donor sites for collecting seeds to start new meadows. A one-time cut once a year as a hay crop, some areas are now left to form a thatch for Field Voles and Harvest Mice the latter part of the EWG reintroduction programme. We hope Barn Owl will spread to this site.
The wildlife on Horsenden is plentiful and diverse; at least 110 bird species have been recorded. In the spring and summer, the site resounds to the song of at least seven warbler species, three thrush species, finches and so on. We have nesting Kestrels and Sparrowhawk and possibly Buzzard as well as Little and Tawny Owls. Twenty-nine species of Butterfly have been recorded including four Hairstreak species. In the summer thousands of Marbled Whites cover the site.
There are several ponds on both sides of the lane, many of which hold the protected Great Crested newt as well as Common Newts, Frogs and Toads and in season many Dragon and Damselflies.
Image: Great Crested Newt surveying at Horsenden.
There are many foxes on the hill, and if you are very lucky, you may see a Weasel or a Badger.
Horsenden is open at all times with good access via the Central and Piccadilly lines and the 297 bus route. There are three car parks with the main one at Horsenden Farm by the canal bridge (this does have closing times), where public toilets are available.
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays the onsite Baker (Horsenden Loaf) and Brewer (Perivale Brewery) are open for business!
Maps and suggested walking routes can be downloaded from the website and from March a monthly led walk is organised by Friends of Horsenden.
Martin Smith, Trustee, Friends of Horsenden
