It was notified in 1986 and is managed by the London Wildlife Trust on behalf of Hillingdon Council.

The main trees are alder and crack willow in the wetter areas, and elsewhere oak and ash with a shrub layer of hazel.

Invertebrates include red cardinal beetles, banded demoiselles and the rare and protected Desmoulin's whorl snail.

[4][2][5] The balsam carpet moth was added to the list of British species when it was found at the Wood in 1955, and it is only known at one other site in Britain.

Access to the Meadows is by a stile on the east side of the Grand Union Canal at Denham Lock.