Ickenham Marsh, Nature reserve in London Borough of Hillingdon, United Kingdom
Ickenham Marsh is a nature reserve near London that combines streams, grassy areas, and wetlands with oak and ash woodland on higher ground near Yeading Brook. The site covers approximately 7.5 hectares and brings together different habitats distinguished by moisture levels and vegetation types.
The wetland was shaped by the enclosure of Ickenham's common fields in 1780, when landowners gained the right to graze livestock there. This change in land use fundamentally formed the landscape and created conditions for its present diversity.
The reserve serves as a learning space for schools and community groups studying native species through informational boards placed along walking paths. Visitors can directly experience how local people contribute to protecting these habitats.
Access the marsh from Austin's Lane in the north or through a tunnel beneath the A40, with Ickenham Station located just five minutes away on foot. Multiple entry points allow visitors to plan flexible routes based on their preferences.
The site uses conservation grazing with cattle and sheep to achieve sustainable land management without heavy machinery. This approach preserves biodiversity and shows visitors an older form of land care that is gaining importance again today.
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