Stanmore Country Park - designed by Nature

The last time I visited Stanmore Country Park, there were carpets of bluebells under the trees. At the moment its Wood Farm area is bedecked with interwoven wild flowers and grasses – a stunning carpet that would rival anything in a show garden.

We followed the marked nature trail path up to the higher ground where the trees give way to a meadow with yarrow, vetch and thistles of all colours. 

A touch of drama is added by teasels.

Among the wild flowers beside the paths are hundreds of daisies.

A lovely surprise near the path we followed was the discovery of an almost-hidden pond, the still water reflecting the scudding clouds.

The high point - literally - was the viewing area on the ridge, where a panorama of London stretches before you. A detailed plaque points out landmarks such as Alexandra Palace, the Shard, Canary Wharf and the Gherkin. Even the Heathrow control tower to the west is identified. In the far distance you can just make out Box Hill and the North Downs.

Returning to Stanmore station, there were swathes of delicate flowers underpinned with frothy grasses. And I thought: who needs a garden designer when nature does it so well?
http://www.harrowncf.org/SCP_home.html

In search of bluebells

You don’t have to go far to find bluebells in spring, even in a city like London. Come April and May they cover the ground in shady borders and beneath woodland trees with a carpet of cobalt.

We went bluebell hunting in Stanmore Country Park, at the northern end of the Jubilee line. Until 1950 this was grazed open fields surrounded by hedges, but is now mostly covered with woodland – ideal for these delicate plants. There are two types - the stems of the native English variety (above) curve over, while the Spanish are more upright. The native variety is protected, so should not be picked in the wild.

We followed the park's Eastern and Northern route trails with a slight detour to the highest point.  From there we were rewarded with a magnificent view south of London, with Crystal Palace on the horizon. (A helpful plaque identifies the landmarks.)

There is a downloadable guide to Stanmore Country Park and its nature trails at http://www.harrowncf.org/SCP_nature_trail_leaflet_low_resolution.pdf  

Other places around London to view bluebells include Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, Osterley Park, Kew Gardens, Hyde Park, Wanstead Park and Oxleas Wood.