Farthing Downs & New
Hill, owned and managed by the City of London, is a 95
hectare (235 acre) area of chalk grassland lying within the
London green belt. Farthing Downs was designated in
1975 as part of the Farthing Downs and Happy
Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest for having the
‘most extensive area of semi-natural downland habitats
remaining in Greater London… in particular the species-rich
chalk and neutral grasslands…’
A long history of human activity has been recorded on the site,
with archeological finds and features dating from the Neolithic,
Iron Age and Roman periods. Farthing Downs was cultivated up
to the 2nd Century AD and afterwards used as pasture for grazing
animals.
Apart from grassland, the site contains a diversity of other
habitats, including scrub, old hedgerows and pockets of ancient
woodland, which support a wide variety of species of plants and
animals.
Rangers, contractors and volunteers manage the site so that
present and future generations of visitors can enjoy the open space
only a stone's throw away from London.
The City Commons are managed to a high standard for the recreation
and enjoyment of the public. In recognition of this each site
proudly flies a Green Flag - an independently judged award
given annually to the best parks and green spaces in England and
Wales.
The City of London is participating in the 'Million Voices'
campaign which aims to show public satisfaction towards the
country's parks and open spaces through the new GreenSTAT online
system. If you would like to comment on Farthing Downs and New
Hill and how well you feel it is being managed and maintained,
complete the Park or Open Space version of the
GreenSTAT questionnaire here.
The City of London manages over 10,000 acres of green space in
and around London for the recreation and enjoyment of the public.
Find out more about the other spaces