The History of One Tree Hill, Told Through its Trees

Event Information

It was once part of the Great North Wood, and as such played an important role in London's development. The trees were eventually felled, barring the ancient boundary oak which gave it its name. Later, it was the focus of an explosive campaign to save it from enclosure.

Through a mixture of direct and legal action, the hill was saved, becoming a public park. Later, in the mid twentieth century, it was allowed to rewild itself. One Tree Hill has a unique and fascinating profile: from ancient wildwood, to pastureland, to a Victorian park, to a dense and vibrant semi wild ecosystem.

This walk will take in the whole of One Tree Hill, including its wonderful vista over London. It will focus on a handful of trees, from ancient boundary oaks, to fruit trees and plane trees, using them to illustrate the broader history of the hill and its surrounding area.

Walk starts and finishes in the same place.

Contributors

John Gray

The chair of the Friends of One Tree Hill. A landscape historian, his most recent publication is One Tree Hill to Peckham Rye Common: a South London Landscape History.

Instagram: @friends_of_one_tree_hill

Location of event

Location: Entrance to the nature reserve, at the top of Honor Oak Rise, London, SE23.

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