IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Huntercrombe Gardens, WATFORD, WD19 6TN

Oxhey Woods is the largest Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in Three Rivers District. The character of the woods is varied, created by centuries of management for a variety of woodland products. Prestwick Road and Oxhey Drive divide the woods into three separate areas. The woods are an important Wildlife Site, notable for the rare Wild Service Tree. Sometimes known as the ‘Chequers Tree’ because of its distinctively patterned bark, the leaves and berries form the LNR logo. Some parts of the LNR are ancient woodland, having been continuously covered by woodland for at least four hundred years, and possibly up to ten thousand years. Wild Service Tree is one of the indicators of ancient woodland. Features such as sunken pathways, earth banks and ditches can also be seen. In the past these earth works often marked boundaries between different land uses and ownership. The London LOOP passes through Oxhey Woods and the woods are an important resource for the residents of the South Oxhey Estate. This is the easternmost edge of the woods, seen from Furze Close on the South Oxhey Estate.

This footpath leads from Furze Close to Muirfield Road. The edge of Oxhey Woods can be seen on the left, beyond the grass. Oxhey Woods is the largest Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in Three Rivers District. The character of the woods is varied, created by centuries of management for a variety of woodland products. Prestwick Road and Oxhey Drive divide the woods into three separate areas. The woods are an important Wildlife Site, notable for the rare Wild Service Tree. Sometimes known as the ‘Chequers Tree’ because of its distinctively patterned bark, the leaves and berries form the LNR logo. Some parts of the LNR are ancient woodland, having been continuously covered by woodland for at least four hundred years, and possibly up to ten thousand years. Wild Service Tree is one of the indicators of ancient woodland. Features such as sunken pathways, earth banks and ditches can also be seen. In the past these earth works often marked boundaries between different land uses and ownership. The London LOOP passes through Oxhey Woods and the woods are an important resource for the residents of the South Oxhey Estate.

Showing a clearing in the central woodland area.

The Loop section through Oxhey Woods is also part of walks laid out by Three Rivers Council through this ancient woodland nature reserve. The council has done a considerable amount of work on the paths, including this elaborate crossing over the B4542.

Moortown Road leads south off Maylands Road, part of the London County Council built estate at South Oxhey dating from the early 1950s.