Minet Country Park
New Nature Trail
This Nature Trail was prepared in the summer of 2003.
This was after development by Hillingdon Council.
Welcome to the Minet site. If you drive along the A312 northwards from the M4 junction 3, or southwards from the A40 Northolt or Ruislip, you will see a large area of open and wooded land to the east, between the road and the Southall gas works.
The Minet site from Hayes By Pass, Looking north-east.
Turn off the A312 onto the A4020 towards Southall and take the first right to the south, along Springfield Road. Park near the bend near other cars.
This map shows the walk around the Minet area.
The park has been landscaped with small hills created by top-soil dumping. Smooth gravel paths have been laid out to allow easy walking and wheel-chair & push-chair use. These are marked in black on the map.
Three entrances have gates which allow wheel-chair access, but (hopefully) not motor cycle access. These are marked W on the map.
A tarmac path runs between The Minet area of Hayes (Avondale Rd) and Springfield Rd adjacent to the Guru Nanak School.
Allow about two hours. Take with you binoculars, camera, recognition books, mobile phone, etc. Antiseptic wipes, snacks, drinks, etc are helpful. There are no facilities on the site.
If you intend to explore the "Conservation Area" beyond the landscaped park area, wellies or stout boots or shoes are recommended. The area is unsuitable for small children or people with any walking difficulty.
The banks of ponds & waterways are all sloping, & potentially dangerous with loose gravel. Don't fall in!
You may contact the author if you are planning to make this virtual walk on foot rather than by mouse.
Disclaimer:
The conservation area is rough and rutted, and swampy in places, so please take care at all times.
No responsibility can be taken by the author or A Rocha for any accidents or incidents resulting from the use of this information.
1. Enter at the wheel-chair friendly gate.
Take the footpath west towards Hayes. Walk past the activity centre on the right - if it is open, introduce yourself. The official car park on the left will be open for scheduled events. Notice the flowers, insects and birds. Kestrels, sparrow hawks, herons, and skylarks may be seen.
Look for butterflies and other insects on the flowers.
The children's playground is on the left.
The new hillocks are covered with flowers in season.
2. Take the footpath to the right (north) between the hillocks. The hills were planted with thousands of tree saplings during Easter 2003. Picnic tables & benches have been placed at intervals around the park.
Continue to the cycle track. There are numerous signposts around the park.
3. Cross the cycle track to the hillock, taking care not to damage any trees. Look north across a fenced area protecting ground nesting birds. (Skylarks.)
Northeast
Northwest
A panorama of the northern part of the park can be seen.
4. Walk to the left (west) & take the path south beside the fence. The river valley to the right is a concrete lined storm drain which has naturalized & is an attractive feature,
5. When you reach the tarmac path, turn right, pass through the gate.
6. Approach the bridge quietly. Look up & down the drain for kingfishers, herons & moorhens. .
Storm drain, looking north.
Looking south.
Return through the gate.
