Ecology To learn more about green

spaces along the lower Duke of

Donkey Wood &
The River Crane passes through a
patchwork of open spaces each with
Northumberland’s River and the
River Crane please contact or visit:
Brazil Mill Wood
its own distinct ecology. Many of the Green Spaces on the
spaces have high environmental value FORCE
and include woodland, wet woodland, info@force.org.uk
Facebook “f ” Logo
@FriendsRivCrane
CMYK / .eps Facebook “f ” Logo

@FriendsRiverCrane
CMYK / .eps

River Crane
meadow and heathland. www.force.org.uk @friendsoftherivercrane

Hounslow Heath
Crane Valley Partnership
The surviving area of the once cvp@greencorridor.org.uk
www.cranevalley.org.uk
extensive Hounslow Heath includes
an environmentally diverse mixture Look out for other leaflets in this series:
of heathland, acid grassland and some The Lower Crane Valley
scrub. The site includes a visitor’s Crane Park to Hounslow Heath
© British Library View of the Calico Grounds, Isleworth Watercolour, 1795
Mereway Nature Park & Kneller Gardens
building kingfisher nesting banks.
© British Library
new bankside vegetation and wild flowers, and
View of the Calico Grounds, Isleworth Watercolour, 1795
answers: a. horse chestnut b. oak answers: a. dog b. coot c. squirrel d. fox building kingfisher nesting banks. floating in-channel vegetation on rafts, planting
Not attributed, c1870 c. ash d. holly
and bridle path. river corridor. new bankside vegetation and wild flowers, and along the river banks, for example by providing
Bedfont Gunpowder Mill, Hounslow Heath
trail, dipping pond, bird watching hide Crane
andthat Park.
could once be found along the floating in-channel vegetation on rafts, planting Recent projects have improved the habitats
leaflet? two minutes? alongsuch banks,made
as arrows
the river of sticks.
for example by providing
including an information centre, nature the open space. Marshalling trees, aPevensey
old fruit Yards, of theReserve
reminderNature farms barriers and allow them easier access upstream.
count on this Feltham can you use in These
Recent be natural
could have
projects cluesthe habitats
improved

Dragonfly Trail (Crane Park)

1991. There are visitor facilities been planted to improve the ecology of and blacklinear
continuous
is aoak pathasthrough
poplars, well as several Works, to aid their passage over manmade
Canal and aMinet beesDownstream
Park. can you there of play equipment you go for the group following.
declared a Local Nature Reserve in neutral grassland which has recently include number of splendid mature barriers and allow them easier access upstream. were installed at Mill Plat and Mogden Sewage
How many
Park, the Grand Union How many pieces parktoleaving you as
behind over
cluespassage
extensive Hounslow Heath was now a large open area of acid and areas isofCranford
Airport mature woodland which Works, aid their manmade Eels are found in the river, and two eel passes

centre and nature trails.

The surviving area of the once De Brome Fields, once a school field, is Wood. Upstream
Pevensey Road Nature ReserveHeathrow
thebeyond
and buzz? has challenge wereFollow a route
installed Plat and the
at Millthrough Mogden Sewage water voles, several species of bat and kingfishers.
Gunpowder Mill by Joseph Lancaster,
1912 upstream and downstream What’s from Donkey Play area Eels are found in the river,
Mystery and two eel passes
Trail attractive to a number of native species including
Heathland Grassland Woodlands water voles, several species of bat and kingfishers.
It is possible to follow the River Crane both The rich variety of habitats makes the river
attractive to a number of native species including
Links Upstream & Downstream The richwith
variety
otherofremnant
habitats structures.
makes the river The Ecology of the River
along London.
b. d. along with otherb. remnant structures. d. there a large basin and locks, and the basin is still there forms a tranquil green corridor through
a large basin and locks, and the basin is still The Ecology of the River urban west

The Duke’s River Walks

c. served by barges directly from the Thames, using Whitton Brook
corridor has significant environmental
a. served by barges directly from the Thames, using water vole value, and
Mill, whicha.was demolished in 1941. The mill was
Mill Plat. It was demolished in 1941. The mill was in the country, can be found on the
and even footprints. Thames at tranquil green corridor through urban river. The river
was a large flour mill there, known as Kidd’s Kidd’s Mill at the confluence with the water vole
has significant environmental value,
west London. Today Modgen Sewage Works, one
include leaves, tree bark, tarmac of the largest
revivedDobyyoutherecognise
Duke’s River, by 1845 there
andprints?
these and by 1845 there was a large flour mill known as one of the largest in the country.The
and forms a
can rubby the Duke’s River,
yourevived the River Crane to the decayed mills
Feltham Cartridge Factory’. ‘The North in decay and disused in 1463. It was no doubt
Other
1463. Theobjects
mills were Today the river is home to Modgen
river corridor in Isleworth.
complete his project to bring additional
Century it was known
as
the Domesday Book of 1086, and reported as of 1086, and reported as in decay and disused by Sewage Works, water from
a dye. By the 19th c.
with the Thames at Mill Plat. It was mentioned in
Whatmillsdo reveal? in the Domesday Book
theymentioned the River Crane to the decayed mills made use of “80 of the best ditchers
red pigment used as Two were in Isleworth. in England” to
processed into a Who
Theinlargest do they
the area belong
of the to?at the confluence
was park. complete his project to bring additional the Manor of Isleworth and the Isleworth
Mill”. Brazil wood was mill on riverBridge.
Baber
bank today.from the posts in the made use of “80 of the best ditchers
water from
Century by John Gates, steward to
mills. He
century as “Brazil How many can you spot? the main
Staines tracks.
would rubbings the king for
described from the 18th have crossed in England” to

Wet Woodland
the River Crane mills and brewery remain visible along the river

The Feltham Loop Walk

bank today. the Manor of Isleworth and the Isleworth The Duke’s River was constructed in
near Baber Bridge, come from? The Romanandremain
riverbank on between
the paths off the river using a pencil or crayon collect mills. He the mid-16th
worm). There was a second mill 1926. mills and breweryroad visible along
Brentford and Century. Old industrial structures linked to the Century by John Gates, steward to
and reptiles (common lizard and slow continued in use until
mills London.
TheWest
Mills. for
What trees do these leaves the
Look
Century.
for
river
Old footprints
with on the
waterstructures
industrial from the
fedtostream.
linked
a chalk On a blank piece of paper and
operation on the river at least since the 18th The Duke’s River was constructed in
the king for River Thames.
Gunpowder River Colne since the 18th the mid-16th course of the old Hounslow Brook fl
copper and small heath butterflies), provide at
downstream anthe Hounslow
important wildlife corridor resident in the leaves
Lovely open river channels. operation thetoriver
onTerrific least Crane,
atRiver
theTracks enriching local Isleworth me in! which had been in
Rub Brewery, River Thames.
owing into the
gunpowder ThisIsleworth
man-made Brewery, which had to been in Isleworth, where it turns a sharp bend
sparrowhawk), invertebrates (small they
1820woodland.had manufactured
Together these nd. spaces
greenSince Nature Reserve. Water voles are local river continues link the 1862. The site was bought up by the expanding course of the old Hounslow Brook fl to meet the
theThe site was bought up by the expanding the Mereway Weir, via this man made
It is a home for birds (e.g. linnet and the wetDuke of Northumberla
meadow, wetland, scrub and excavated recently in Pevensey Road
1862. river. (1721) and finally flour, until it burnt down in Isleworth, where it turns a sharp bend
owing into the channel, to
Powder Mills from and finally our, until it burnt down in
to flsupplement its length. Water is taken from the
create a herb rich grassland and scrub. leasedandthe Bedfont
include mixed grassland, heathland, marginal wetland species, were
constructed
(1721) water power dye in (1607 and 1671), copper (1635), Brazil dye the Mereway Weir, via this hand dug
to meet the River Crane at
Curtis and Harvey upperand 1671), copper (1635), Brazil channel, to provide supplementary water to the
In 1833 (1607 Duke of Northumberland’s century, was variously used to produce paper mills along
of both lime and acid loving plants gunpowder.
spaces have a high environmental value
of Yards.overleaf.
circle Large ponds, planted with century, variously used to produce
was century. River was
paper
a mill, built in the sixteenth
its length. Water is taken from the
River Crane at as the Isleworth Mill River. It was built
to the manufacture thesnail
13th fallen In the
built16th
leaves. in thecentury Inrecord yourRoad
St John’s to provide supplementary water to in order to
imported surface soils. A rich variety soonitsconverted
own distinct ecology. as Many
a swordof these
mill, Draw
tunnels under of
a picture it in anMarshalling
Feltham empty St John’swith
Inpower Road a mill, sixteenththe
cotton
sightings.
sheet), one in operation until 1833. the mills along Crane and the River Thames and was
in 1635
Mills, builtof open space, each with to mills forone
Trail. industrial
Fill ina operation
hungry until 1833.
processes rough Crane and the River Thames. It was once known
London due to the wide variety of Powder
a patchwork most about the
Hounslow park?
Gunpowder Mills and roughDragonfly
cotton sheet), from Use the space below the map to built in order transfer system that links the River Colne,
along the river. The Bedfont The riverare was altered
mills to the
producing
providecalico (a Road there were two mills producing calico (a transfer system that links the River Colne, the River
some of the best wasteland flora in structures Riverwas
What the thing youa liked RoadTherethere were snails
3 two along water What have you spotted? the River Northumberland’s River is part of
Heath, the
of this past can seen inthrough
River Cranebepasses Crane, creating millstream for habitats borderingriver. In the arearivernorth of Worton
channel. closely to the river. In the area north of Worton Northumberland’s River is part of a larger water
Feltham Marshalling Yards supports remnants
Between Crane Park and Hounslow People have altered the course of the closely to the a larger water The manmade channel of the Lower
industrial history and I liked... In this Happy
areastretch
has a the
Snail history linked
industrial
rich River The Have
area hasyou me? history linked
seenindustrial
a rich The hand dug channel of the Lower Duke of
‘Wasteland’ This area has a rich The
diverse Crane has Duke of
The History of the River
Green Spaces on the River Crane The River & Wetland Areas Industrial Heritage The History of the River

The riverside path passes areas of

The Mills Industrial Heritage
The River

0.5 approximate distance in kilometres

Hounslow Heath to Hanworth Road Crane Park Hanworth Road Kneller Gardens Cranford Park
Craneford Recreation Ground Lower Crane Valley
History If you want to learn more
Ecology This sectionfollowing
of Iftheyoulower
wantCrane Park to
The Dragonfly Trail was named
Crane
to Valley
learn includes
more Donkey Wood &
If you want
to Hospital to discover
Bridge Road more about to Craneford Recreation Ground to London Road
Heathrow Airport Dragonfly
The Lower Crane Valley is a linked network
The Duke’s The Three
approximate distance in miles 0.5
The Feltham
The Lower
a competition with local schools. N

Much of the land at the edge of about green spaces on the River Hounslow Heath, once part of a vast heathland. LinkstheUpstream & Downstream
learning activities at Crane Park Links The Duke’s
Upstream River Walk
& Downstream TheRough,
Duke’s River Walk of open spaces along the River Crane. Many
Hounslow Heath
about
Pupils were greenalsospaces
asked toon theposters
design River to Crane Park is on both sides please of the visit:
river for this Kneller Gardens is a popular local park with Twickenham Junction provides valuable
Hounslow Heath was once farmland,
The River Crane passes through a
Crane please visit:
patchwork of open spaces each with
The open spaces
promote
grassland, remnant
arethenow
Crane
has beenheathland,
made
route. up of this
Some
please
included inmeadows,
mixed
visit: artwork
this activityscrub,
sheet. Many
There
stretch. The
much of Crane fromBrazil Mill Wood
semiis deciduous
an option woodland
to loop back
Isleworth
to the River
covers
via the Thames
small Path
and The
playThere lower
is an
sporting Duketo
option ofThere
facilities. Northumberland’s
loop back to theand
are toilets River flowshabitatTheof bramble scrubofand
lower Duke Northumberland’s
Trail
woodland. It has River flows of these spaces are of high environmental
significance and valued for recreation. River Walk River Walk Loop Walk
Crane Valley
cut off by the London and South the park but there
FORCE are grasslands, Craneforfrom
refreshments 4km from Kneller
Isleworth
available. throughGardens in Twickenhamrecently
St Margarets forbeen
4kmbrought
from into publicGardens
Kneller ownership in Twickenham
Western Railway in 1850. In the 18th
its own distinct ecology. Many of the
FORCE
woodland andFORCE
thanks
wettowoodland. Green Spaces on the
the children of Bishop Perrin Church through
islands, reed beds St
Email Green Spaces on the
Margarets and Twickenham.
andinfo@force.org.uk
wetland areas. The park From toNature
the River
and Twickenham
Mereway ParkThames
via
is a the
small in Isleworth.
Thames
area The
Path.
of bramble river wasand a pathway
From from Marsh
Balancing
to the River Farm
Ponds
Thames Lane gives The river wasGThe
in Isleworth. re variety of flora and fauna create an Kneller Gardens to Longford River, Upper Duke
wildlife corridorDuke ofLondon.
Northumberland’s
spaces have high environmental value Email info@force.org.uk
oftoEngland Primary School,for
Heathfield
a furtherJunior Kneller Gardens en
It is possible continue upstream and it
hasisapossible to follow the Hatton TheCross
River Crane is managed for Or visit www.force.org.uk
wildlife
River Crane
rich history as constructed
Kneller
scrub, Gardens
woodland in
it the
and meadow. sixteenth
is possible tocentury
site follow to
contains thesupplyaccess constructed
to the site.
Crane Park
important for west of Northumberland’s River

ay
century a Mill Stream was dug to Email info@force.org.uk in the sixteenth century to supply La
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the www.force.org.uk School for their Riverof to the the
RiverRiver Crane via River Thames Isleworth

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20km through boroughs of Hounslow, River Crane Gunpowder
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bya schools. Today the river is The River Crane, a tributary & River Crane

mixed woodland and scrub which

Crane on continuous linear water to mills in Isleworth. Today the river is Thames, also supports athe
provide extra power to the Hounslow Thames Path

us
or visit www.force.org.uk Hillingdon andenthusiastic
Harrow.
Facebook “f ” Logo

involvement in the project.

CMYK / .eps Facebook “f ” Logo CMYK / .eps

Richmond path London

bankthrough Wildlife
and HanworthCraneTrust
Park, Pevensey
Farms, a model Nature ad urban west diverse range of

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green corridor
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12
Facebook “f ” Logo CMYK / .eps Facebook “f ” Logo CMYK / .eps

Friends of the River

See Donkey Woods & Crane
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an environmentally diverse mixture Nature Hunt Email parks@richmond.gov.uk
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Visit www.hounslow.gov.uk

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front cover View of the mills at the Calico Grounds, Isleworth Watercolour, 1795
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© Friends of the River Crane Environment (FORCE) 2014 © Friends of the River Crane EnvironmentLittle
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the River Crane please contact or visit:
111 110
The Lower Crane Valley Crane Park to Hounslow Heath 285 490 H25
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Registered Company No. 8383410 Registered Charity No. 1108542 Registered Company No. 8383410 Registered Charity No. 1108542 design, photography & illustration - paulsmithadi.co.uk Company No. 8383410 Registered Charity No. 1108542
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trees grow in the wetter conditions,

where the river regularly floods over
its banks. This alder is managed by
the ancient practice of coppicing. The Friends of the River Crane Environment

shoots of the alder are harvested on a

regular basis and the tree then regrows
from the stool. The harvested wood is This leaflet was funded by GLA Big Green Fund
through a project with the Crane Valley Partnership
used in woodland management. design, photography & illustration - paulsmithadi.co.uk
With thanks to the Hounslow Local Studies Library
for permission to use the historic images
© Friends of the River Crane Environment (FORCE) 2020
Registered Company No. 8383410 Registered Charity No. 1108542
 The River The Mills
diverse This area has a rich
In this stretch the River Crane has industrial history and
remnants of this past
habitats bordering the river channel. can be seen in
water structures along the
The river was altered to provide river. The Bedfont
from Powder Mills, built in
power to mills for industrial processes 1635 as a sword mill,
y the soon converted to
the 13th century. In the 16th centur the manufacture of
er was gunpowder. In 1833
upper Duke of Northumberland’s Riv Curtis and Harvey
wer in leased the Bedfont
constructed to supplement water po Powder Mills from
the Duke of Nor
the river. thumberland. Since
link the 1820 they had manuf
This man-made river continues to actured gunpowder
iching downstream at the H
River Colne to the River Crane, enr ounslow Gunpowder
stream. Mills. The mills contin
the river with water from a chalk fed ued in use until 1926.
and There was a second m
The Roman road between Brentford ill near Baber Bridge,
Crane described from the 18
Staines would have crossed the River th century as “Brazil
Mill”. Brazil wood w
in the area of Baber Bridge. as processed into a
red pigment used as
a dye. By the 19th
Century it was know
n as ‘The North
Feltham Cartridge Fa
ctory’.

Links Upstream & Downstream

It is possible to follow the River Crane both
upstream and downstream from Donkey
Wood. Upstream and beyond Heathrow
Airport is Cranford Park, the Grand Union
Canal and Minet Park. Downstream there
is a continuous linear path through Feltham
Marshalling Yards, Pevensey Nature Reserve
Bedfont Gunpowder Mill, Hounslow
Heath
and Crane Park. Not attributed, c18 70
HEATHROW Cranford Park &
A30 G
reat S
outh W
est Ro 423
Grand Union Canal
Donkey Wood &
ad
203
482

203
Brazil Mill Wood
482
Green Spaces along
Hatton Cross 0.7m
the River Crane
Hounslow West 1.0m

Heathrow
Balancing Ponds

way
Cause

Boardwalk
Green Lane
Water Meadows

Crane
River

Blast Mounds

Blast
Mounds
Donkey Wood =
ns
Gd

Uppe
r Duk
r
ve

e of N
Ri

orthu
mbe
r lan
116 d’s
R
ane
Way

635
Mill

ive

en L

235 B ab e r
Bridge Mill Stone Wet
Woodland
r

Gre

116 117
Baber Bridge
Hounslow West 0.8m
44

n Way

235 635
A2

A315 Sta
117 ines Road
Beesto

Golf Course Hounslow Heath

Brazil Mill Wood Information Centre
ad
Frampton Ro

Firing Wall Pond

Ave
a
Viol

H26
0.5 approximate distance in kilometres
Riv
Ca

Feltham 0.75m
er
rlto

Cr
an Heathland
nA

e
approximate distance in miles 0.5
ve

footpath
H26 Sparro
w
river walk Drive Farm
Hounslow Heath
London Loop
t Ave

board walk Paradise Wood

Meadows
Cygne

mill site

open space
Feltham
v2.0 2020 © Friends of the River Crane Environment

Marshalling
235 bus stop Yards
Cavalry Tunnel
tube station
South East Wood oad
national rail hR
Entrance ort
H anw
Way

parking 14
God
fr ey 111
A3
110
river flow Hanworth Park & De Brome Pevensey Road Nature Reserve, Hounslow 1.0m
Playing Fields Little Park & Crane Park