Gernon Bushes

Coopersale near Epping

Map Ref:  TL 478 030
Public Transport - A bus service runs to Coopersale from Harlow via Epping.
Dogs allowed if under effective control.

Directions
Turn off the B181 towards Coopersale village and turn left onto Gernon Mead 200m after the railway bridge.

This 79 acre site is the last remnant of the old Coopersale Common that once linked Epping Lower Forest along the hill ridge to Ongar Park.  It has many ancient Hornbeam pollards plus some more recent woodland and a netwok of ponds originally dug for gravel extraction.

Designation:
Site of Special Scientific Interest

What to look for:
In the north of the reserve the gravel workings have developed into  bogs.  In the south two springs rise on the edge of the plateau and their streams descend through a series of bogs which include large patches of the rare Marsh Fern.  Other notable plants include Lady Fern, Bogbean, Marsh Valerian, Marsh Marigold and Ragged Robin.   It has a good variety of resident and summer migrant birds.

Access
Accessible at all times.

Did you know?
Gernon Bushes is the remnants of wood pasture, can you imagine ox and swine grazing under the large Hornbeam pollards?