Croxley Common Moor
Local nature reserve and site of special scientific interest
Route
Whilst all around the land has been built or improved for modern agriculture, Common Moor remains little changed – a wonderful relic left just a few miles from London. Its 100 acres of historic grassland straddle the flood plain of the River Gade. It is the action of the river scouring across the plain, combined with centuries of grazing that have produced the rich and diverse plant life that we see today. Due to this ancient connection between grazing animals and the wildlife continued grazing is essential to the proper protection of Common moor. Without their appetite the site would soon become covered in dense scrub and coarse grasses, leaving no room for the wide variety of flowering plants currently found.
The site has been registered as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the rarity of its plantlife, and is also a designated Local Nature Reserve in acknowledgement of the contribution local residents make to its management. This protection is essential because there are only one or two similar valley sites in existence in Hertfordshire.
Croxley Mill stood beside the moor for more than a century. Built by John Dickenson & Co to expand their paper business, Croxley Mill formed an early component of what was to become a world wide business empire. The construction began in 1828, and included a grand Egyptian façade – built to overcome the objections of Lord Ebury, who lived at Moor Park and had a view over the site. Croxley Mill went on to stand for the next 154 years, finally being demolished in 1982.
Finding your way
Croxley Common Moor is found to the south east of Croxley green, a short distance from the underground station. It is also accessible from the Grand Union Canal tow path and the Ebury Way, the site can be freely explored, however, please note that there are no surfaced paths and some areas become boggy, especially in winter.
Plantlife on Common Moor
Over 130 different types of plants have been noted on the moor – and there are probably many more. The small scale changes in the lie of the land dramatically increase the diversity. Even the old anthills are tall enough to effect the plant species found on them.
Dry Grassland
Where the ground is raised, the freely draining sandy soils and gravels produce exceptionally dry ground, poor in nutrients favouring plants such as harebell, yarrow, devil’s bit scabious, self-heal, pretty, whin, dyer’s greenweed, meadow buttercup, knapweed and heather.
Marshland
Found generally towards the western end of the site, or where the ground falls into hollows due to minor gravel working or the ancient course of the river. Here the soil becomes waterlogged, leadung to an altogether different collection of plants like yellow iris, purple loosestrife, meadowsweet, cuckoo flower, ragged robin and marsh marigold.
The River Gade
The free-flowing, clear waters of the River Gade provide a home to an abundance of plant and animal life. Look out for numerous fish darting between the submerged reeds. Plants such as the water crowfoot, unbranched bur-reed, water mint and arrowhead can be found here.
Rights of Way symbols you might see
|
Yellow arrows indicate footpaths for pedestrian use only |
| Blue arrows indicate bridleways for horse riders, cyclists and pedestrian use only |
| Red arrows indicate Byways Open to All Traffic (BOAT) for horse riders, cyclists and pedestrians and may be legally used by other wheeled vehicles |
| Black arrows indicate Roads Used as Public Paths (RUPP) for horse riders, cyclists and pedestrians and may be legally used by other wheeled vehicles |
Maps
This map is based on Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Hertfordshire County Council 100019606 2004.
The Ordnance Survey mapping included within this web-site is provided by Hertfordshire County Council under licence from the Ordnance Survey in order to fulfill its public function to provide information relating to its activities, services and plans. Persons viewing this mapping should contact Ordnance Survey copyright for advice where they wish to license Ordnance survey mapping for their own use.
See the Ordnance Survey site for more information.
This is is one of a series of walks through the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) supported by the Chilterns Conference.
Please be considerate in the countryside - keep to footpaths, especially through crops, and leave farm gates as you find them.
