| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 Section of the Hillingdon Trail running through Park Wood in Harefield | |
| Location | Greater London |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | TQ081892 |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 305.4 hectares |
| Notification | 1990 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Ruislip Woods is a Site of Special Scientific Interest[1][2] and national nature reserve covering 726 acres (294 ha) in Ruislip in the London Borough of Hillingdon.[3] The woods became London's first national nature reserve in May 1997.[4] Ruislip Local Nature Reserve at TQ 090 899 is part of the national nature reserve.[5][6]
Evidence of Bronze Age settlements has been found within the woods during archaeological excavations. Timber from the woods has been used in the building of several nationally significant buildings, as well as locally; the Great Barn at Manor Farm was built from oak from the woods.[7]
Ownership of the woods passed with the manor from Ernulf de Hesdin to Bec Abbey and on to King's College, Cambridge over the years, until Park Wood was sold to the local authority. The remaining woods were purchased from other owners and Ruislip Woods was formed.
- ^ "Natural England, Ruislip Woods SSSI citation" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
- ^ "Map of Ruislip Woods (SSSI)". Natural England.
- ^ "Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve". London Borough of Hillingdon. 12 January 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Trust Aboutwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Ruislip (now part of the NNR)". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. 7 March 2013. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2014. The Natural England map shows the site at the wrong location.
- ^ "Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve Management Plan 2003-2008" (PDF). London Borough of Hillingdon. pp. 7, 94. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 June 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
History of Manor Farmwas invoked but never defined (see the help page).