About the reserve

On the Surrey border sits Threecorner Grove, a triangular woodland that neighbours Hutchinson’s Bank and Chapel Bank in New Addington. It is a magical stand of ancient chalk woodland, overseen by a tall canopy of oak, ash and wild cherry, with field maple, small-leafed lime, and whitebeam trees, some of which tower up to 25 metres. Ancient woodland indicators such as wood sorrel, plus evidence of long-standing earth banks along its edges, are testimony to Threecorner Grove’s age and stability; a woodland largely undisturbed for hundreds of years.

History

Chalk grassland develops on shallow lime-rich chalky soils that are nutrient-poor and free-draining, and in London this internationally important habitat is predominantly found in the southern parts of the boroughs of Bromley, Croydon and Sutton.

This part of the North Downs was traditionally grazed by sheep until the 1950s, but changes occurred as new settlements such as New Addington and Forestdale developed. London Wildlife Trust began managing nearby reserve Chapel Bank in 1984 and another reserve Hutchinson’s Bank in 1987. Grazing was re-introduced to Hutchinson’s in 1995, and Chapel Bank in 2011, for the first time in half-a-century. Threecorner Grove was included into the reserves’ management in 1997, as was the verge alongside Featherbed Lane north of Hutchinson’s Bank.

Status

Part Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation, Metropolitan Green Belt

Get involved

Volunteer

Find out more about volunteering on our nature reserves and how to apply here.

Record your sightings

Record species you've spotted.