London Life Places

Queens Wood Local Nature Reserve

August 29, 2013

It’s still summer, right? Right!

Let’s pretend last saturday never happened. Apart from the downpour that day we have had glorious weather. Wasn’t yesterday stunning? Well, i live in north london and am blessed with parks and woods galore within a 3 miles radius (or thereabouts). I love that about living where i do and although i’m certainly an urban chic, getting out into nature is most important.

Today i’m going to introduce you to another secret hangout. It’s not that no one knows about it. It’s just that on the opposite side of the road you’ll find far larger woods that seems to attract more people. Great, i say!

So, it’s bank holiday monday afternoon and off we trotted to queens wood local nature reserve. Queens wood is one of four ancient woodlands in haringey, the others being highgate wood, coldfall wood and bluebell wood. All of these woods are thought to be the direct descendants of the original ‘wildwood’ which covered much of britain until about 5000 years ago.

Queens wood is an ancient oak and hornbeam woodland, characteristic of the region, and was probably coppiced until the mid 19th century. Coppicing is a woodland management technique, where certain trees are periodically cut back to provide a crop of wood, and then allowed to re-grow from the cut stumps.

I love it because it’s wild! You’ll see that although it was very sunny and hot, some parts are rather dark and therefore cool. Dogs love it there too! Don’t for a minute think i had trouble taking photographs without any people around. Nope, it’s always like this. Every few minutes you’ll pass someone and most of the time get a very friendly ‘hello’. How nice is that in the middle of a world city? 

I love how the light changes with every footstep you take.

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The paths lead to various exits. At the end of the walk it’s always nice to have a cuppa and something to eat.

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The queens wood café is open daily and the adjacent organic garden only mondays and thursdays.

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A substantial menu, wouldn’t you say?

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By the time we got to the café it had closed so nothing for us this time:-(

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I hope you all had a good bank holiday and that wherever you might be in the world, the sun is shining down on you. Happy weekend my friends.

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20 Comments

  • Reply Jocelyn Casey August 29, 2013 at 11:34 am

    Tina, these images are beautiful! I love how the light shines through the canopy of the trees and the next time I am in your neighborhood I would love to take a walk there! Have a great, sunny day xx

    • Reply tina September 2, 2013 at 11:28 pm

      Thank you J. If you come to London, I will personally take you there x

  • Reply Anya Jensen August 29, 2013 at 3:33 pm

    Hey Tina, OHHH I adore the fairytale like cafe in the forest, serving sweet treats after an exhausting walk – perhaps a little gingerbread house – reminding me of Hansel and Gretel (I know you’d appreciate that:) Beautiful images, Much love,
    Axxx

    • Reply tina September 2, 2013 at 11:29 pm

      Haha! Never saw it as a Gingerbread House BUT you’re soo right!!! Yes, now I can see Hansel and Gretel:-))
      Thank you love. xx

  • Reply Gerard @WalnutGrey September 1, 2013 at 5:08 pm

    If you go down to the woods today… and that cafe is quite a little surprise. Very fairytale-esque as Anya says. I do love to stroll through the woods. Haven’t done it in ages though. We do have a number of great forests not far from Belfast… and one of the oldest Belfast city parks right across the road!

    Always great to see such images in the middle of a busy city 🙂 xx

    • Reply tina September 2, 2013 at 11:32 pm

      It’s small enough to be really intimate. The café is a welcome addition and it does indeed feel a little fairytale-esque.
      It’s important to be out in nature. I have to remind myself constantly… it’s so easy to get drawn in the big smoke and forget!

      They’re calming aren’t they? xx

  • Reply Karen @ Stitch by Stitch September 1, 2013 at 6:01 pm

    Enjoyed this blog post – my family and I love this part of the woods in Highgate too. There used to be a rope swing in one of the clearings, but the last time we visited (probably last winter), it had gone. Anyone know if it’s been reinstated?

    • Reply tina September 2, 2013 at 11:33 pm

      Hi Karen,

      Hello neighbour.. Oh, I didn’t see the rope swing but I stayed on one side… I’m not sure but will try and check out!
      Must visit again soon before the weather turns.

  • Reply geraldine September 2, 2013 at 12:43 am

    My very local park too. Love Queens wood. We are so lucky in North London to have so much greenery aren’t we? Beautiful photos as always. Have a good week lovely x

    • Reply tina September 2, 2013 at 11:34 pm

      Hello local. I thought you might know this wood. Yes, I love living in North London. We have so much beautiful green places.
      Thanks lovely xx

  • Reply Nicola September 2, 2013 at 9:09 am

    It’s amazing one can be in a city so long and yet there’s always something new to discover – such as this café, for me anyway! x

    • Reply tina September 2, 2013 at 11:35 pm

      That’s what I LOVE about living in London. I will never know it completely and there’s always something new to discover! Magic!! xx

  • Reply Catherine September 2, 2013 at 12:40 pm

    Ohh I love this, it is like being in a fairy tale! I find walks like this so necessary when you live in the city. The greenery, solitude and cheeky coffee/tea and cake at the end are so reviving. xx

    • Reply tina September 2, 2013 at 11:37 pm

      Ha! Now that you gus mention it, it is. I didn’t quite see it that way..
      You are so right, it’s so important when one lives in the city to have balance with nature. Couldn’t agree more xx

  • Reply Judith September 2, 2013 at 2:28 pm

    Like we say in France, everyone needs his “poumon vert” (green lung)… I feel very fortunate to live close by some of the oldest forests in France. “Yours” looks wonderful too! Really enjoy the colorful menu of the little cafe! xx

    • Reply tina September 2, 2013 at 11:38 pm

      Never heard of ‘poumon vert’.. but I like this:-)
      Wow, you are lucky indeed! Ha. I also loved the way they bothered to colour the menu. So different and unique. Thanks xx

  • Reply noreen September 2, 2013 at 11:10 pm

    Hello Tina! I’ve been busy getting back into the classroom, and my students started a week and 1/2 ago. Busy! But happy to be back visiting. This park is just beautiful. It was relaxing to me, just looking at the pictures. I hope all is well with you!

    • Reply tina September 2, 2013 at 11:41 pm

      Hello Noreen. Nice to hear from you. Hope you had a good summer.
      I’m loving the weather we’re having this year.Today was another great and sunny day and everyone’s spirit is up!

  • Reply Jennifer P September 5, 2013 at 9:45 pm

    Thank you for the reminder about this wonderful place. xx

    • Reply tina September 16, 2013 at 3:18 pm

      Pleasure. Maybe we can take a stroll there together.. x

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