IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Oxhey Drive, WATFORD, WD19 7HR

This area of the woods, to the north of Oxhey Drive, is referred to as the northern woodland, distinguishing it from the central woodland on the other side of the road.

Oxhey Drive bisects the South Oxhey Estate from west to east. Here it is leaving Oxhey Woods on the left on its way downhill to Carpenders Park. 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.

The South Oxhey housing estate was originally one of several built by the London County Council outside London in the immediate post-war years of the late 1940s and early 1950s to provide residences for Londoners whose homes had been damaged in the war or were otherwise of poor quality. Management of the estate passed to the Greater London Council in 1965, and eventually, in 1980, to Three Rivers District Council, although it is estimated that at least 70% of the property is now privately owned. Offerton House is one of several original blocks of flats of very similar design on the estate and is on the north side of Oxhey Drive.

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 just north of Oxhey Drive where the path goes to Gosforth Lane. Coppiced trees can be seen alongside the path.

A local nature reserve, but this bit does not appear on the leaflet, so perhaps not here. Here seems to be largely Hornbeam coppice.

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 just north of Oxhey Drive where the path goes to Gosforth Lane.

A local nature reserve, but this bit does not appear on the leaflet, so perhaps not here. Here seems to be largely Hornbeam coppice.

Through part of Oxhey Woods.

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 an entrance on Oxhey Drive.

A local nature reserve, but this bit does not appear on the leaflet, so perhaps not here. Here seems to be largely Hornbeam coppice.