Inventory Site Record

Knights Hill Wood Nature Reserve is named after the Knight family who were landowners in the C16th. The Nature Reserve was formerly part of the grounds of Portobello House whose driveway between the road and the house divided either side of what is now the area of woodland. Portobello House was demolished in c.1949 when the Cedar House flats were built. The area within the former driveway of the house became wild, but in 1986 a proposal to build a doctor's surgery here was successfully opposed by local residents supported by the London Wildlife Trust, and it was opened as Knights Hill Wood Nature Reserve in 1989. It has a number of fine ornamental trees dating from the C19th garden.

Previous / Other name:

Portobello House

Site location:

Knights Hill

Postcode:

SE27 0SP

What 3 Words:

stress.dock.joined

Type of site:

Public Open Land

Borough:

Lambeth

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Rail: West Norwood then bus. Bus: 468

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Research updated:

19/07/2023

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.lambeth.gov.uk

The area was once part of the Great North Wood. Knights Hill Wood Nature Reserve is named after the Knight family who were landowners in the C16th, and this was a small wood near Crown Point towards the top of the hill. It was formerly the grounds of Portobello House whose driveway between the road and the house divided either side of what is now the area of woodland. The area began to develop after the Croydon Enclosure Acts of 1797-1802, which led to large houses being erected, most of which have now been demolished. Portobello House, reputedly named after Porto Bello in Panama, seized by Admiral Vernon during the war against Spain in 1739, was demolished in c.1949 when the Cedar House flats were built. 

The area within the former driveway of the house became wild, but in 1986 a proposal to build a doctor's surgery here was successfully opposed by local residents supported by the London Wildlife Trust to whom it was subsequently licensed to manage as a nature reserve in 1989. The Trust opened up a circular path and added a boundary hedge, as well as planting new species to improve diversity. Management of Knights Hill Wood reverted to Lambeth Council in 2002 and it is managed for both its wildlife interest and as an educational resource for local schools and residents.

It has a number of fine ornamental trees dating from the C19th garden such as a Weymouth pine, deodar, oak, ash, sycamore, lime, horse-chestnut, and holly with elm in the understorey. Native trees and a boundary fence have been planted and a circular path laid out.

Sources consulted:

Ian Yarham, Michael Waite, Andrew Simpson, Niall Machin, 'Nature Conservation in Lambeth', Ecology Handbook 26 (London Ecology Unit), 1994; Mrs G Eades, 'The Early History of Norwood', The Norwood Review Edition #24, Norwood Society, 1965: https://www.norwoodsociety.co.uk/articles/the-early-history-of-norwood?highlight=WyJwb3J0b2JlbGxv110=

Grid ref:

TQ318712 (531737,171247)

Size in hectares:

0.25

Site ownership:

LB Lambeth Environment Directorate

Site management:

Environment Directorate

Date(s):

C19th; 1989

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

None

On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

No

Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:

No

Local Authority Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

No

In Conservation Area:

No

Tree Preservation Order:

Not known

Nature Conservation Area:

Yes - Local Importance

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

None