Stanmore Country Park Nature Trail
Post 12: Cloisters Brook runs here in an attractive little valley where hart's tongue fern Asplenium scolopendrium, soft shield fern Polystichum setiferum and lady fern Athyrium filix-femina grow. The large shrubs to left and right, with leaves with a pointy "rainspout" at the tip, are hazel. A little way ahead the path passes through a gap in a fallen oak – another of the giants that used to stand in the hedgerows. The top of the fallen tree is now a wealth of vegetation, including male fern and broad buckler fern Dryopteris dilatata.

As you continue down Cloisters Brook, look out for leaky dams constructed to slow the flow during times of spate to reduce the risk of flooding downstream as well as create a new water habitat.

On reaching the main path, turn left to regain post 4. From here turn right to return to the car park, or left to continue on the eastern loop of the nature trail.

To description for post 13

Click here to learn more about the Harrow Nature Conservation Forum including guided walks and conservation workdays.