Nice to Know

Hounslow Heath has a recorded history dating back to Norman times with historical events such as the below are as follows:

• 11th -16th century: Royal hunting grounds. 
• 17th century to present: Military camps and training grounds. 
• 17th – 18th century: Highwaymen, robbers; public hangings. 
• 18th – 19th century: Agriculture and the parliamentary enclosures, development of cartography and the Ordnance Survey. 
• 16th – 20th century: Gunpowder manufacture and early Industrialisation (e.g. milling sword, flax, snuff, flour, copper, oil and calico mills). 
• 1919 – 1923: First World War air defences and development of civil aviation. 
• 19th century – 1973: Extraction of sand and gravels Waste and refuse disposal. 
• 1985 – present day: Wildlife conservation, recreation and education. 

• Recent ecological surveys undertaken in 2024 by the London Wildlife Trust confirm that the site supports an extensive mosaic of priority habitats and Habitats of Principal Importance, including lowland heathland, lowland dry acid grassland, wet woodland, reedbed and lowland mixed deciduous woodland, all of which align closely with London Biodiversity Action Plan priorities. 
• Botanical surveys recorded 230 vascular plant species, including numerous London Notable and Axiophyte plants
• Faunal surveys confirmed the Heath as a nationally important stronghold for adders.
• Invertebrate surveys recorded 342 species, including one beetle species new to Britain and northern Europe, five nationally rare species, and numerous other scarce taxa, confirming the site’s exceptional invertebrate interest.  

We have considered various approaches to the masterplan, including:

1. Minimal intervention – Focusing only on essential maintenance and conservation.

2. Moderate enhancements – Improving access, signage, and visitor facilities while maintaining ecological balance.

3. Transformative approach – Significant improvements, including new trails, rewilding projects, and increased visitor amenities.