Hutchinson's Bank, Chapel Bank & Threecorner Grove

Hutchinson's Bank

Daniel Greenwood

Hutchinson's Bank, Chapel Bank & Threecorner Grove

A large area of secluded chalk grassland and woodland in Croydon. Supporting many rare plants and insects, which has benefited from the return of traditional grazing.

Location

Footpath entrance from North Downs Road, New Addington,
Croydon
CR0 0LD
A static map of Hutchinson's Bank, Chapel Bank & Threecorner Grove

Know before you go

Size
33 hectares

Grazing animals

Cattle, sheep and ponies

Access

The entrance from North Downs Road footpath is a short walk from New Addington Tramlink stop. Follow the footpath to the left of the recycling centre, and turn left on to the woodland path. After a few minutes walking you'll see a metal kissing gate at the reserve entrance. Further along, there are kissing gates and steps into paddocks to reach other parts of the reserve. 

Footpaths are sometimes steep and stepped and slippery after rainy weather. Access to the cutting from Farleigh Dean Crescent is level and suitable for wheelchairs if the gates are unlocked by arrangement. There are occasional benches. The route from Threecorner Grove to Chapel Bank is across a narrow, winding road with busy traffic.

Street parking for Hutchinson's Bank is available on North Downs Road and nearby streets in New Addington.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

April to July

About the reserve

This dry chalk valley in New Addington is a butterfly spotter’s paradise and a great place to find orchids, rare plants, and blankets of bluebells. Hutchinson’s Bank is a steep grassland valley-side, while Chapel Bank features enchanting ancient woodland, scrub and rolling chalk grassland. Between them, Threecorner Grove is a spectacular stand of ancient woodland. 

History

Chalk grassland develops on shallow lime-rich chalky soils that are nutrient-poor and free-draining, and in London this internationally important habitat is predominantly found in the southern parts of the boroughs of Bromley, Croydon and Sutton.

This part of the North Downs was traditionally grazed by sheep until the 1950s, but changes occurred as new settlements such as New Addington and Forestdale developed. London Wildlife Trust began managing Chapel Bank in 1984 and Hutchinson’s Bank in 1987. Grazing was re-introduced to Hutchinson’s in 1995, and Chapel Bank in 2011, for the first time in half-a-century. Threecorner Grove was included into the reserves’ management in 1997, as was the verge alongside Featherbed Lane north of Hutchinson’s Bank.  

Management

Short turf is essential for species unable to compete with coarse grasses and scrub; grazing now helps manage this. Other species need the mosaic of taller grasses, scrub and woodland. Ongoing management of scrubby vegetation is a key aim, and we encourage the growth of specific food plants for butterflies.

Status

Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation; Local Nature Reserve, Metropolitan Green Belt  

Get involved

Volunteer

Contact Simon Hawkins via email shawkins@wildlondon.org.uk for more information.

Record your sightings

Record species you've spotted 

Contact us

Simon Hawkins
Contact number: 07772 821 134

Wild cherries of Threecorner Grove

Threecorner Grove is a tiny pocket of ancient woodland, nestled between Hutchinson’s Bank and Chapel Bank. Cherries are more familiar as small trees, usually found in parks, gardens or woodland edges, but the wild cherries of Threecorner Grove in Croydon stand over 23 metres high. In spring they make a magnificent sight, covered with bright white blossom. In summer their fruits are eagerly devoured by thrushes and woodpigeons.  
 

Wild Cherry Threecorner Grove credit Mathew Frith

Wild Cherry Threecorner Grove credit Mathew Frith