Looks like an Oak.

Assuming the leaves actually are prickly or spiny, might be Mahonia of some variety, possibly M. aquifolium - the only other contenders would be Osmanthus heterophyllus or one of the Hollies.

If it has grown from an acorn then it could well be Holm Oak, Quercus ilex which does have Holly like leaves.

Thank you Owdboggy. I'm beginning to think that they are oak like bathgate suggested. What to do with them is the next question. I have a very small garden, I may have to give them away.

Gail.

I would take it out to a wooded area and plant it. It will provide a valuable resource for wildlife.

Are the leaves prickly? It looks more like holly to me than holm oak (which has holly-like leaves but not prickly).
Please do not follow the suggestion to plant it out in a wooded area.

A holly doesn't grow from an acorn size nut. It's an oak. I have them springing up all over my yard - from acorns that squirrels buried but never came back for. A holly tree grows from holly berries - the holly seed is roughly 1/8 of an inch in diameter inside of a bright red berry.

Also, though similar to holly, this has the signature growth pattern of an oak - with its opposite leaves. Hollies have a different growth pattern altogether. It's fine to plant it out in a wooded area since that's where the parent tree lives.

Paul it may be "fine" to plant out in the U.S. but British woodlands are a rare commodity and can't sustain indiscriminate planting. Non- native species, in particular, can cause havoc in what is left of our ancient woodlands.

The acorns must have come from someplace.

Urbanite: Given that Holm Oak's been grown here since 1500, its unlikely to be considered a 'foreign' species. This one's obviously popped up on its own from seed produced nearby, so clearly, this variety of tree is already growing in the area.

Bathgate: you'd be lucky to find any woods where you could plant such a thing here anyway, although I'm in London, so there may be more available in other parts of the country.

Daff: The local Council Trees Department might allow it to be planted in a park, they certainly didn't have any objection to my planting a Ginkgo biloba there a few years back.

Most evergreen oaks are much more prickly as seedlings than they are as mature trees--i.e., above deer height! It might be worthwhile trying to turn them into bonsai, either yourself, or others. Members, are there Bonsai Societies in the UK? If so, contacting them would be good.

Well you've all given me food for thought. I have two, so I'll have a go at a Bonsi with one of them and get in touch with the local council, to see if I can plant it somewhere with tbe other.

Thanks for all your suggestions. Gail

Send it to me, I'll give it a good home.