Farm Bog

One of the largest of London’s six remaining lowland bogs can be found tucked away on Wimbledon Common.

Location

Wimbledon Common, near Robin Hood Road

Wimbledon

SW19 5NR

Know before you go

Size

1 hectare

Access

Farm Bog is situated near the southern boundary of Wimbledon Common. It can be reached via the footpath that starts in the east from Sunset Road, or in the west from Robin Hood Road. Wimbledon Station is a 20-minute walk from Sunset Road.

There are no footpaths to the Bog, nor discernible boundaries. Because it is a fragile habitat people are not encouraged to walk over it, however it is within sight of the surrounding paths that traverse Wimbledon Common.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

March to November

About the reserve

This valley mire, located just north of Iron Age fort remains, developed on a gravelly slope where seepage of acidic, nutrient-poor spring water creates gullies and pools on the underlying clay. If you don’t know it’s there it can be easily overlooked when walking through Wimbledon Common, but once found provides a small oasis of calm away from the bustle of dog walkers, runners and cyclists.
Farm Bog is mostly wet throughout the year, even in times of drought.

History of Farm Bog

This constantly wet habitat supports a specialised plant community which thrives in a rich peat layer that is more than two metres deep and was formed over a period of at least 6,000 years. An agreement has been in place since the 1980s between the Conservators and London Wildlife Trust whereby volunteers from the Trust undertake habitat management of the site. Since then this work has mainly consisted of controlling reed and scrub invasion, without which the bog would quickly turn into wet woodland.

Management of Farm Bog

The reserve is owned by the Conservators of Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators, and is managed by volunteers from London Wildlife Trust through an agreement with the Conservators.