Stanmore Common is a 49.2-hectare public park,Local Nature Reserve andSite of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation inStanmore in theLondon Borough of Harrow in England. It is owned by Harrow Council and managed by the council with a local group.[1][2] It was a biologicalSite of Special Scientific Interest, but was de-notified in the early 1990s.[3][4][5]
There are several important archaeological sites on the common, includingBronze Agetumuli. In 793 AD land at Stanmore was given by theKing of Mercia toSt Albans Abbey, which held it until theNorman Conquest. Following theGreat Stanmore Inclosure Act 1813 (53 Geo. 3. c.11Pr.) much of the land was lost to private ownership, but about 120 acres of Stanmore Common remainedcommon land, held by Harrow Urban District Council.[6]
The common is woodland and heathland, with two artificially created ponds.[1] Most of the woodland is secondary as the ancient woods were long ago cleared for grazing, apart from a seven hectare area of older woodland at The Grove.[6] The Common has many rare plant species, including the onlyheath spotted-orchids in London. Birds include the decliningspotted flycatcher and bullfinch. There are also rare insects, and mammals includemuntjac deer, woodmice, bank and field voles and shrews.[3]
There is a car park on Warren Lane, and access also from The Common.[6][1]
