Gunnersbury Triangle

Gunnersbury Triangle is a protected nature reserve in London located on a former railway line between residential neighborhoods. The site contains a mix of birch woodland, wetland areas with willows, and open grassland on acidic soil, creating diverse habitats.

In 1983, this land became the first site in Britain protected from development through a public inquiry specifically for its natural value. The decision set a precedent for how cities could preserve green spaces in urban areas.

The reserve serves as a place where local people connect with nature in the middle of the city. Walking through the trees and along the paths offers a rare opportunity to step away from urban surroundings and observe wildlife up close.

The reserve can be accessed through a wooden gate entrance on Bollo Lane near Chiswick Park Underground station. Wearing sturdy shoes is recommended since paths cross through wooded areas and wetter sections of the terrain.

The reserve supports an unexpected variety of wildlife including foxes, bank voles, wood mice, sparrowhawks, and herons within just a few hectares at a former railway junction. These animal populations thrive in the different habitats created by the woodland and open spaces.