Wildflower meadow near Gutteridge Wood seen from the Hillingdon Trail

Image: © Marathon Taken: 27 Jun 2018

The Hillingdon Trail is a 20 mile path through Hillingdon's countryside from Cranford in the south-east to Harefield in the north-west. Here it is passing through Yeading Brook Meadows between Ten Acre Wood and Gutteridge Wood, just before it reaches the latter. Yeading Brook Meadows Local Nature Reserve is one of the most important grassland sites in Greater London. It is cut for hay in late summer, with some areas being left uncut to provide overwintering sites for invertebrates and small mammals. Skylark breeds in the hay meadow and can be seen flying overhead in summer. Yeading Brook Meadows is managed by the London Wildlife Trust on behalf of the London Boroughs of Hillingdon and Ealing. As can be seen the wildflower meadows are very colourful. Gutteridge Wood in Hillingdon is an area of traditional countryside character, including ancient woodland and wildflower meadows. It is part of the Yeading Brook Valley. The woodland is ancient which means it dates from at least the 17th century. It was once called Great Ditch Wood. It is owned by the London Borough of Hillingdon and is now managed by the London Wildlife Trust. Full details can be found at https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/reserves/gutteridge-wood

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