Croxley Common Moor

A local nature reserve and SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). There are also the adjacent Long Valley Woods and Croxley Hall Woods.

This map is issued by CMS (Countryside Management Service) and shows access via Moor lane, opposite Croxley Metropolitan Station on the A412, or Moor Lane Crossing on the Ebury Way.  Very limited parking space available in Moor Lane.

The site is monitored by the 'Friends of Croxley Common Moor' and controlled by Three Rivers District Council and the CMS.

Whilst all around the land has been built on 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.  One farmer still grazes cattle under commoner rights.  This helps keep the vegetation in check and attracts numerous birds.

There was at one time a paper mill (Dickinson, of Watermark, Basildon Bond, Three Candle fame!) adjacent to the site, which lasted more than a century and was started in 1828, this area is now a modern housing complex.

The many yellow meadow ant nests attract Green Woodpeckers, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk are fairly common sightings, and the recent addition of numerous RSPB nesting boxes should encourage the population of Blue and Great Tits.  Long Tail tits also nest here and Great Spotted Woodpeckers can be heard if not always seen. Stonechat, Reed Bunting, Grey Wagtail, Bullfinch and Heron are all fairly regular.  Blackcap, Reed Warbler and Whitethroat in season,

Information on the local walks, contact Three Rivers DC, on 01923-776 611
To find out more about the site, contact CMS on 01707-650 041
or Friends of Croxley Moor, Chairman, David Wynn-Jones on 01923-251 905