Saffron Green Meadows
Encyclopedia
Saffron Green Meadows or Saffron Green Pasture is an area of public open space and farmland north of Arkley
in Hertsmere
, Hertfordshire
, England
. It is owned and managed by Hertfordshire County Council
, and is part of the Watling Chase Community Forest
and the London Green Belt
.
In the late 1990s, the area was identified as suitable for environmental management as it had been untenanted for several years, and as rough grazing pasture it was a rich and scarce ecological habitat which also had recreational potential. An archeological survey identified a pre-Roman landscape pattern, possibly dating back to the Bronze Age
. In 2002-03 4.5 hectares was planted as woodland, and a tenant was found to manage the land for grazing. The 42 hectare site had previously had no public access, but an area of 5.5 hectares is now public open space, with a bridle way which connects with Arkley Lane
, a Local Nature Reserve
in Barnet
. There is also public access from Galley Lane.
A wide variety of wild species have been found on the site,, and it is one of the largest wildlife sites in Hertsmere.
Mimmshall Brook, a tributary of the River Colne
, skirts the site, and the Saffron Green radio masts of 95.8 Capital FM radio station are close by.
Arkley
Arkley is a village in the London Borough of Barnet. It is located north north-west of Charing Cross, and at above sea level is one of the highest points in London....
in Hertsmere
Hertsmere
Hertsmere is a local government district and borough in Hertfordshire, England. Its council is based in Borehamwood. Other towns in the borough include Bushey, Elstree, Radlett and Potters Bar.-History:...
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is owned and managed by Hertfordshire County Council
Hertfordshire County Council
Hertfordshire County Council is the upper-tier local authority for the non-metropolitan county of Hertfordshire, in England, the United Kingdom. It currently consists of 77 councillors, and is controlled by the Conservative Party, which has 55 councillors, 17 Liberal Democrats, versus 3 Labour...
, and is part of the Watling Chase Community Forest
Watling Chase
Watling Chase is a community forest of 72 square miles.. It is located to the north of London, England around the towns of Potters Bar, St. Albans, Bushey, Borehamwood and Barnet...
and the London Green Belt
Metropolitan Green Belt
The Metropolitan Green Belt is a statutory green belt around London, England. It includes designated parts of Greater London and the surrounding counties of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey in the South East and East of England regions.-History:The...
.
In the late 1990s, the area was identified as suitable for environmental management as it had been untenanted for several years, and as rough grazing pasture it was a rich and scarce ecological habitat which also had recreational potential. An archeological survey identified a pre-Roman landscape pattern, possibly dating back to the Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
. In 2002-03 4.5 hectares was planted as woodland, and a tenant was found to manage the land for grazing. The 42 hectare site had previously had no public access, but an area of 5.5 hectares is now public open space, with a bridle way which connects with Arkley Lane
Arkley Lane and Pastures
Arkley Lane and Pastures is a Local Nature Reserve, Borough Grade II, in Arkley in the London Borough of Barnet. Arkley Lane, off Barnet Road, is an old drovers' road. It is now a quiet country lane with a traditional bank and ditch...
, a Local Nature Reserve
Local Nature Reserve
Local nature reserve or LNR is a designation for nature reserves in the United Kingdom. The designation has its origin in the recommendations of the Wild Life Conservation Special Committee which established the framework for nature conservation in the United Kingdom and suggested a national suite...
in Barnet
London Borough of Barnet
The London Borough of Barnet is a London borough in North London and forms part of Outer London. It has a population of 331,500 and covers . It borders Hertfordshire to the north and five other London boroughs: Harrow and Brent to the west, Camden and Haringey to the south-east and Enfield to the...
. There is also public access from Galley Lane.
A wide variety of wild species have been found on the site,, and it is one of the largest wildlife sites in Hertsmere.
Mimmshall Brook, a tributary of the River Colne
River Colne, Hertfordshire
The Colne is a river in England which is a tributary of the River Thames. It flows mainly through Hertfordshire and forms the boundary between the South Bucks district of Buckinghamshire and the London Borough of Hillingdon...
, skirts the site, and the Saffron Green radio masts of 95.8 Capital FM radio station are close by.