Monken Hadley Common lies within theMonken Hadley Conservation Area, and is listed as a “Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation, Grade I,” by theLondon Borough of Barnet.[1] It is registered common land,[2] and it is owned by the Trustees of Monken Hadley Common.[3]
The common is a large area of about 72 hectares (180 acres) between Monken Hadley andCockfosters; it is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long and wedge shaped, one-half mile (0.8 km) wide at the Monken Hadley end and tapering to a point at the Cockfosters end.
There is access from Camlet Way, Parkgate Crescent, Covert Way, Games Road, Northfield Road, Baring Road (via Pymmes Brook Trail), Bakers Hill, and Hadley Common. TheLondon Loop andPymmes Brook Trail pass through the common.[4]
The common is a remnant of the formerRoyal Forest ofEnfield Chase, which was enclosed by theEnfield Chase Act 1777 (17 Geo. 3. c. 17).[5] A small part was allotted to the village of Monken Hadley, and this is the only land which has remained as a common. Until the 1950s, the commoners exercised their rights to use the land for grazing.[6] The common is bisected by theEast Coast Main Railway Line.
The common is mostly wooded, dominated bypedunculate oak, with somehornbeam,beech andfield maples.Holly forms a dense understorey in some places, while elsewhere a more diverseshrub layer includesMidland hawthorn andhazel. Several ground flora species are ancient woodland indicators, suggesting that fragments have survived from before the time when the common was managed as wood-pasture. Butterflies includewhite-letter andpurple hairstreaks, and there are breeding birds such assparrowhawk andtawny owl.[2]
Beech Hill Lake (or Jack's Lake) was formed by dammingPymme's Brook. It is managed for angling[7] but supports common waterfowl andDaubenton's bats use it for feeding, foraging low over the water. Two smaller ponds have a much richer flora and abundant amphibians, which attractgrass snakes.[2]
51°39′35″N0°10′39″W / 51.6598°N 0.1775°W /51.6598; -0.1775
