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Nature reserves

We play a vital role ensuring environmental issues and the borough's wildlife in particular are given a high profile in the services that it provides.

As owners of a large acreage of green space, we are in a position to manage land in ways sympathetic to the needs of wildlife and still fulfil its obligation for providing sports pitches, ornamental gardens and other public facilities. One way that we can demonstrate our commitment to this aim is by declaring Local Nature Reserves (LNRs).

The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949, gives local authorities the power to provide or secure the provision of LNRs. Site selection is undertaken in consultation with English Nature and tends to focus on land recognised as being of importance for nature conservation interest, with open access for the public and either existing or potential value for environmental education.

Local Nature Reserves in Merton

In the past few years, we have declared 13 Local Nature Reserves at the following locations.  Download further information below:

• Bennetts Hole: 12,088sq m; 1993

• Cannon Hill Common: 144,246sq m; 1998

• Cherry Wood : 17,561sq m; 2000

• Cranmer Green 32,315sq m

• Fishpond Wood/ Beverley Meads: 58,272sq m; 1993

• Lower Wandle: 25,607

• Merton Green Walks 16,329sq m; 2000

• Morden Park 177,862sq m; 2000

• Myrna Close 7,434sq m; 1995
  • Map 1 -Compartments
  • Map 2 - Habitats
  • Map 3 - Management
  • Map 4 - Managment Section 6

• Part of Ravensbury Park: 70,644

• Pyl Brook Nature Reserve: 8,706sq m

• Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Wood: 28,680sq m; 1994
  • Map 1: Compartments
  • Map 2: Habitats
  • Map 3: Management

• Oakleigh Way railway sidings: 6,372sq m; 2000

• Wandle Meadow Nature Park: 36,082sq m; 1988

Furthermore, It has identified other candidate sites that it hopes to designate in the next year or so. These include

• Derwent Floodwash): 17,919sq m

• Download a map of Merton's existing Local Nature Reserves

All of Merton's LNRs have adopted management plans that identify ecological habitats and prescribe maintenance schedules designed to conserve and enhance wildlife value.

Eventually, the history and nature conservation interest of each LNR will be described in a series of leaflets. Currently, the council has published leaflets on Fishponds Wood/Beverley Meads, Myrna Close and Wandle Meadow, plus one that gives the location of all Merton's parks and nature conservation areas. More detailed information about wildlife sites in the borough can be found in the leaflet 'Nature Conservation in Merton'. These publications are available from local libraries in Merton and from Merton Link at the Civic Centre.

• Download  Worcester Polytechnic Institute report on Merton's nature reserves

Nature reserves across London

The Mayor of London provides information on nature sites across London, including Sites for Importance for Nature Conservation and Local Nature Reserves via the Wildweb website.

It includes each nature site's special features, travel information, and interactive maps, with detailed information for those interested in biodiversity and wild landscapes.

• Wildweb website (external link)

See also

• Nature reserve events
• Leisure Facilities Department

Contact us

Leisure and Culture Greenspaces
12th floor Civic Centre
London Road
Morden
SM4 5DX

Tel: 020 8545 3658