About the reserve

The site supports a beautiful woodland of hornbeam, oak and ash, established on the slopes of a valley which looks stunning in autumn as the leaves turn gold. Standing on the eastern side of Oak Hill Park, the wood is steeply sloped, while the banks to the north have been set aside for natural oak woodland regeneration. A tributary of the Pymmes Brook flows within the wood.   

History of Oak Hill Wood

Oak Hill Wood is an ancient woodland thought to date back to at least the 11th century when it was owned by the church, before being sold and incorporated into the Oak Hill Estate in the 1550s. The estate came into public ownership in 1931 when the local authority purchased the land, opening it in 1933 for public recreation.

Owned by Barnet Council, the woodland became a focus for the Trust's conservation management in 1985, and in 1997, along with the eastern slope, was declared a Local Nature Reserve.  

Management of Oak Hill Wood

We have recently restored wildlife habitats along the Pymmes Brook tributary by removing barriers and concrete culverts, including the creation of a small wetlands area on the valley floor in Oak Hill Park. The footpaths are being improved with natural materials such as woodchip. There are no facilities at Oak Hill Wood and footpaths can get slippery after rain. 

Status of Oak Hill Wood

Part of a Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation, Local Nature Reserve  

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