The Manor
174ac/70ha LNR
Grid ref: TQ 551 928
Updated 31/12/2023.
Available also via books and apps – click here for details.
Mouse over links for pictures; click for detail page.
Dagnam Park, which forms most of The Manor LNR, was part of the former Manor of Dagnam. Across the centre is ancient parkland, sandwiched between two small ancient woods. The ancient grasslands extending to the east towards Fir Wood are managed as hay meadows, and are rich in wild flowers and insects in summer.
The many large patches of scrub and the ancient trees serve as nest sites for a variety of birds. Hawfinches often visit in winter. It has a number of ponds in most of which great crested newts breed.
Former farmland to the north and west of the original park was added in 2015. Surrounded by mature hedgerows, these fields are relatively undisturbed and large herds of fallow deer gather here.
Duck Wood nearby is an ancient woodland with ten ponds, some open and surrounded by vegetation, others shady and overhung by shrubs and trees. Unusual aquatic plants such as starwort can found here. It has carpets of bluebells in spring, and many other wild flowers including wood anemones and wood violets.
Visiting
Off Settle Road in the north of Harold Hill. Turn off the A12 on to Gooshays Drive east of Gallows Corner, then turn right at the roundabout on to Dagnam Park Drive. Settle Road turns off on the left. SatNav: RM3 9XR.
Bus services from Romford run along Dagnam Park Drive.
Accessible at all times.
May to August for birds, wild flowers and insects.