137161 Croxley Common 6pDL 25/6/10 12:30 Page 1

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Welcome to Croxley Common Moor How to get to Croxley Common Moor CommonCommon MoorMoor

Whilst all around the land has been built on or improved for modern agriculture, Common Moor remains little changed.

Its 40 hectares of historic grassland straddle the flood plain 40 Hectares of Historic of the River Gade. The action of the river, combined with centuries of grazing, has produced the rich and diverse Grassland plant life that we see today. Without grazing animals the moor would soon become covered in dense woodland.

The Common is a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the diversity of its plant life and is also a designated Local Nature Reserve because of its value to local people.

There is no car park for the Moor, however it is This protection is essential because there are only a very accessible on foot via the Grand Union Canal few similar river valleys still in existence in the county. and the . The site can be freely explored, however, please note that there are no surfaced paths and some areas are very boggy, especially in the winter. By rail: The Moor is only a 5 minute walk from Croxley Underground Station. By bus: There are regular buses from Rickmansworth or to . Contact Intalink on 0871 200 2233 or at www.intalink.org.uk.

Black Knapweed Birds-foot-trefoil Croxley Common Moor is owned and managed by Council 01923 776611 www.threerivers.gov.uk The Countryside Management Service works with communities across to help them care for and enjoy the environment. Tel: 01727 848 168 www.hertslink.org/cms Friends of Croxley Common Moor www.croxleycommonmoor.org.uk

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Variety of Wildlife Mill Lane, to Croxley Over 250 different types of plants have been found on Key Underground Station the moor and the small scale changes in the lie of the Pedestrian Entrance land dramatically increases the variety. Boundary Lock 79

Where the ground is raised, the freely draining sandy soils and gravels produce exceptionally dry ground, poor in nutrients favouring many flowering plants.

e Where the ground falls into hollows due to minor gravel d a G r Mill Lane workings or the ancient course of the river the soil e iv Access Point becomes water logged, leading to an altogether R River Gade different collection of plants.

The grassland and scattered bushes provide an ideal home for birds, small mammals and countless insects.

The free-flowing, clear waters of the River Gade are also home to an abundance of plant and animal life. l Look out for numerous fish darting between a n a the submerged reeds. C Moor Lane Crossing n Access Point io n U d n a r G n Metropolitan Underground Line Local Industry

Croxley Mill stood beside the moor for more than a century. Built by John Dickinson & Co to expand their rail ycle T paper business, Croxley Mill formed an early component Way C Ebury of what was to become a world-wide business empire.

The construction began in 1828, and included a grand Egyptian façade, built to overcome the objections of Lord Ebury, who lived at Moor Park and had a view over the © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. site. Croxley Mill was in existence for the next 154 years, Hertfordshire County Council, 100019606, 2010. finally being demolished in 1982.