Big Wood and Little Wood, Ancient woodland in Hampstead Garden Suburb, England
Big Wood and Little Wood are two connected woodland areas in Hampstead Garden Suburb, featuring a rich mix of tree species including oak, hornbeam, and wild cherry. Both sections form a dense forest landscape that spreads across the neighborhood.
Land in this area was granted to the Bishop of London in 704 and remained under church control until the twentieth century. The woodland thus maintained its forest character across many centuries.
An open-air theatre built in 1920 within one of the woodlands hosts community performances and local events throughout the year. The space reflects how the area has been used as a gathering place for shared cultural experiences.
Several entrances provide access to the woodlands from different streets, making it easy to reach from various directions. Walking paths are marked throughout the area to help visitors navigate and explore the forest.
The space between the two woodlands once served as grazing ground for elephants before roads were built in 1912. This unusual historical use reveals a forgotten chapter in the area's past.
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