High above London, we find ourselves at Wood Farm London Viewpoint. What you see before you is the result of careful planning and a little bit of luck. Wood Farm London Viewpoint wasn’t always a public space. Up until the end of the 20th century, this was a working farm.
Let’s take a quick look back. From 1960, Joe Bygraves, a Commonwealth heavyweight boxing champion, leased the site. For about 20 years, he bred pigs here. Oddly enough, the site was also used to dispose of building rubble during that time. This significantly raised the ground level, especially in the lower half. Even now, you might spot lumps of concrete poking through the thin layer of earth.
The idea to transform this into a public space started in 2009. After some legal processes, Wood Farm was transferred to Harrow Council control in December 2015. That’s when Wood Farm London Viewpoint opened to the public. Now, a team of volunteer wardens manages it.
Take a moment to appreciate the view from Wood Farm London Viewpoint. On a clear day, the panorama stretches from Alexandra Palace in the east to Heathrow in the southwest. You can even see as far as Box Hill in the south.
As you walked here, you may have noticed the wildflowers. In 2015, a native wildflower mix was sown in the area. Look out for white heath bedstraw, yellow ladies bedstraw, white oxeye daisies, and the tall yellow dark mullein.
Did you see the pond on the way to Wood Farm London Viewpoint? It is a haven for wildlife. Dragonflies and damselflies dart over the water in summer. In late summer, swallows and house martins gather to drink before their migration south.
Keep an eye out for birds of prey while you’re at Wood Farm London Viewpoint. Kestrels, sparrowhawks, buzzards, and red kites often hunt over Wood Farm. If you want to explore further, consider following the Wood Farm Loop. The Wood Farm Loop is clearly signposted. From the London Viewpoint, the left-hand path will take you through different habitats.
The first area is tussocky grassland. It’s mown every two to three years. This provides winter shelter for insects and small mammals. It also provides seeds for them to feed on. As you continue on the Wood Farm Loop, you’ll enter an area dominated by bramble. Whitethroats, a type of warbler, love this scrubby landscape.
You’ll also pass fenced enclosures planted with native trees like hazel, oak, and hawthorn. The goal is for these trees to eventually form copses. These copses will blur the boundary between Wood Farm and Stanmore Country Park.
In the lower parts of Wood Farm, keep an eye out for hemlock and goats rue. Hemlock is a tall plant with white flowers. Goats rue has pretty purple or white flowers. It attracts butterflies and insects. The Wood Farm Loop eventually climbs back up the hill. About halfway up, there’s a bench. It’s a great spot to rest and enjoy the view.
Before you stands what remains of Cloisters Wood. Much of it is now buried under the rubble you walked on. This area is also a good place to spot butterflies. One you might see is the clouded yellow. Its caterpillar feeds on plants like bird’s foot trefoil, clovers, and goats rue. As you reach the car park, notice the fenced area planted with trees. These trees will eventually give the car park a more secluded feel.
So, as you stand here at Wood Farm London Viewpoint, remember its journey. From a working farm to a rubble dump to a beautiful public space. It is a testament to what a community can create. A place for everyone to enjoy nature and stunning views of London.