Belhus Woods

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The Belhus estate dates from the 14th century. Originally a deer park, it was landscaped by Capability Brown in the 18th century. The main part, east of Romford Road, has ancient woodland, grassland, and five lakes that were created by gravel extraction. Two of these are used for fishing and the others are reserved for wildlife.

With such a variety of habitats the park is rich in wildlife, including a wide variety of flowering plants. Brick Kiln Wood with its streams and ponds, dug to extract clay for brickmaking, is alive with insects in summer, as are the meadows nearby.

The hazel in Running Water Wood is being coppiced and the clearings are full of wild flowers in summer, including (as it is a damp wood) marsh thistles and ragged robin.

West of Romford Road are two ancient woods, surrounded by the Forestry Commission's plantings of Cely Woods. Warwick Wood is especially interesting, with aspen groves and many surviving elm trees.