Get close to nature Visiting Spotlight National Nature Reserves

working today for nature tomorrow JJuniper,uniper, a native plant that can bebe found on several Spotlight National Nature Reserves. EnglishEnglish Nature

National Nature Reserves (NNRs) are Most of the the jewels of ’s wildlife and places geological treasures. Many of these mentioned in very special places offer people this booklet unrivalled opportunities to get close have self- to nature – and in doing so can guided stimulate your mind, body and spirit. nature trails and viewing This booklet points you towards 35 areas that help ‘Spotlight’ NNRs – places that offer you to see and some of the best opportunities for learn about their you to enjoy the open air and marvel features at first at the country’s outstanding wildlife hand. A growing and geology. number offer easy n o access to people, s n i b o

England has well over 200 NNRs. including those R n h

They were established to protect the who use o J country’s most important areas of wheelchairs. wildlife and most significant geological formations, and as places Visiting Redstart. for scientific research. But this does NNRs not mean they are no-go areas for isn’t just about spotting colourful people. The Spotlight reserves in this birds and butterflies, fascinating booklet have been specially selected plants or beautiful scenery. They are because they are among the best tranquil havens where we can places for people to see our special unwind quietly and rediscover our wildlife and geology without natural world. Nature is for inadvertently disturbing or damaging everyone, so please come and enjoy the very things they have come to it! enjoy. They all have their own character and unique attractions, to More detailed leaflets on each NNR be enjoyed by everyone. will be available locally. You can also find out more about the reserves mentionedThis booklet in usesthis bookleta number by of visiting symbols to provide you with a quick reference to www.english-nature.org.uksome of the main facilities onor eachby NNR. phoningCar theparking English NatureAdmission Enquiry fee Service on 01733 455100. While we have triedBus ser tovice ensure the inforTrailsmation in this booklet is accurate, local detailsRailway can change. If in doubt,Easy access please check with the Enquiry Service. Cycle parking Events/ E guided walks Ainsdale Sand Dunes, Merseyside Aston Rowant, Oxfordshire e r u t a N h s i l g n E / e l e l r i v u l t e a N M h n A s o i P l L m g F i / n S s E k / s o n o i l r l B o C d r e a n h c n i y R L Kite flying at Ainsdale. The unmistakable red kite is something you may chance upon at Aston Rowant (inset). Part of the Sefton Coast, this is the Getting there: This beautiful area of chalk grassland, Getting there: finest system of sand dunes on the Ainsdale Sand Dunes are between juniper and beech woods is a glimpse of Signed from Christmas Common Road (off north-west coast of England and a Ainsdale village and Freshfield, along the the way much of this part of the the A40). Visitors to the northern section hugely popular place to walk. Southport coast road. The nearest car Chilterns used to look. can park in the English Nature car park park is 2.5km (1 mile) away on Ainsdale about 400 metres down a lane off beach. Buses run to Liverpool Road 2.5km Christmas Common Road. Visitors to the With so many different habitats – from (1 mile). Trains run to Ainsdale and The reserve – with its massive blocks of southern section can park in Cowleaze sand flats to dunes to woods – there are Freshfields station (10 minutes’ walk). sandstone ‘sarsens’ – overlooks the Vale Wood. many different types of wildlife too. of Oxford. Today, the grassland, with its Trails, facilities and events: many rare chalk-loving herbs and Trails, facilities and events: Visitors might spot sand lizard, There are colour-coded paths through the flowers, is kept in top condition through Six marked walks – one of them designed natterjack toad, great crested newt and dunes. Information leaflets available. The grazing by rare breed sheep. for wheelchair users. Picnic area and sand and rough ground is unsuitable for woodland sculpture trail at Cowleaze red squirrel, as well as 460 species of wheelchairs. Toilets in Ainsdale village Wood. Events such as red kite walks are flowering plants! Or you may just enjoy 2.5km (1.5 miles). Toilets and In spring, the beech woodlands are organised throughout the year. a walk in the bracing coastal air. The refreshments at the Victoria Road National carpeted with bluebells. There are also sea shore is Trust property 4km (2.5 miles). many butterflies, including the dark When to visit: an green fritillary and the silver-spotted October to March for the red kites. Spring important When to visit: skipper. The juniper, an evergreen that for bluebells and migrating birds. Spring winter Summer for wildflowers. Spring for is native to England, is home to many to summer for orchids and wildflowers. stopover for natterjacks. Autumn for red squirrels. extremely rare insects. And here, n o s n i waders and visitors can spot the spectacular red kite. b o E R E n gulls. h o J Red squirrel.

4 English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk 5 Barnack Hills and Holes, Cambs Castle Eden Dene, County Durham 6 0 9 , 2 2 e 9 r 1 u 1 t , a 6 1 N e h r s i u l t g a n N E / h y l s i e l k g a n E W / y r l e e t k e a P W r e t e P 8 3 5 , 7 2 e r u t a N h s i l g n E / l l a s r e m o G s i r h C Young walkers enjoy a stroll over the Hills and Holes. Top right: the rare pasque flower. A walk on the wild side of Castle Eden Dene. Below: nuthatch, one of the woodland birds. The unique hummocky landscape of the Getting there: This tangled landscape is a survivor of Getting there: Hills and Holes was created by The reserve is in the village of Barnack, the wildwood that once covered most of Castle Eden Dene is signposted from the quarrying for limestone. The stone, north-west of Peterborough. Car park at Britain. It is a magical world where a A19 and from Peterlee town centre. Car known as Barnack rag, was prized by Wittering Road. Cycle parking is also deep gorge with yew, oak, ash and dying park at Oakerside Dene Lodge. For bus provided. Buses from Stamford and details, phone 0345 124 125. Roman builders more than 1,500 years Peterborough stop close to the reserve. elm creates a home for other plants and ago. In mediaeval times, many abbeys, creatures. For thousands of years, Trails, facilities and events: including Peterborough and Ely, were Trails, facilities and events: people have been fascinated by the dene, Two marked walks. The Yew Tree Trail is built from the stone. It was carried on The circular, 1.3km, Limestone Walk takes creating legends of the Devil to explain 3.75km (2.5 miles) and takes up to three barges down the fenland waterways. around 30 minutes. Follow the orange its strange rocks and mysterious hours. The Red Squirrel Trail is arrows from the main car park. Warden atmosphere. The fact that melt-water 2.75km (1.75 miles) and takes on site in the spring and summer. up to 2.5 hours. Toilets, baby John Today, the wildflower-covered from the last Ice Age carved out the Robinson changing and touch screen meadowland is one of Britain’s most spectacular limestone cliffs and gorges is interpretation are at important wildlife sites and one of the When to visit: no less a fascinating story. Once upon a April and May for the rare pasque flower. Oakerside Dene Lodge. A best places in the region to see the June and July for orchids and other time, the Saxons called this area Yoden, year-round programme of strange green lights of the glow-worm. wildflowers. Summer for glow-worms. meaning Yew Dene. Yoden became wildlife events. The site is open all year. Eden. When to visit: E Spring for wildflowers. Autumn for leaves. Bad weather can cause landslips.

6 English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk 7 Dales – Lathkill Duncombe Park, North Yorkshire

Of the five limestone valleys in the Peak Set in beautiful parkland in the Getting there: District National Park that make up the picturesque valley of the River Rye, Just south-west of Helmsley off the A170. NNR, Lathkill is the Duncombe is made special by its There is a car park. best to visit. With its steep, grassy gnarled and ancient trees. Their rot- slopes, meandering river and ancient holes and hollow trunks are a haven for Trails, facilities and events: woodlands, offers a quiet rare and spectacular insects. The insects Parkland open daily from Easter to October. Circular river walk and a beauty. are direct descendants of those that once programme of events, including guided lived in the wild wood that used to cover walks. Toilets and refreshments, shop and Yet this was once a place of industry, this part of the country. interpretation centre. Admission charge fuelled by the rush for lead. Scattered to the park, garden and house. For among the woods and slopes are Birds such as woodpeckers and the opening times and events, call the estate office on 01439 770213. remnants of the mines and workings, elusive hawfinch make their nests in the slowly being absorbed by nature back rot-holes, and bats make roosts. In the When to visit: into the landscape. spring, the woods are stunning, with Spring for bluebells and beetles. Summer bluebells, primroses and wild garlic. for pied flycatcher and redstart. The limestone cliff faces and rocky outcrops in the dale tell of another story. A beautiful, unspoilt stretch of river 350 million years ago, the whole White winds through the park – home to trout, Peak area was part of a tropical lagoon, otter and birds such as kingfisher and 2 7 8 with coral reefs and volcanoes. The dale , grey heron. 6 2 e is rich in fossils and its grasslands are r u

t One of the many old trees that give Duncombe Park its special charm. a among the most flower-rich in Britain. N h s i l g n E / l l e

Getting there: d n e l

Lathkill Dale is 3.5km (2 miles) south west G l u a of , between the villages of Over P Haddon, Monyash and Youlgreave. Car Above: walkers near Three Castles Haddon Grove footpath in Lathkill Dale. Left: the dipper is among parks at Over Haddon and Moor Lane, the river residents. Youlgreave. John Robinson interpretative boards. Underground viewing platform at Bateman’s House. Trails, facilities When to visit: 5 0 6

Year-round, though some concessionary ,

and events: 1 2 e

paths may be closed occasionally. r

Several paths run u t a

through or close to the N h s i l

reserve, including the g n E / y

Limestone Way and the l e k Monsal Trail. a W r e

Leaflets and t e P 8 English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk 9 3 4 5 Durham Coast , East Dartmoor Woods and Heaths, Devon 9 1 e r u t a N h s i l

g People have worked in and shaped n E / y l

e Yarner Wood – the most accessible part k a W

r of the NNR – for centuries, and today e t e

P the place teems with birdlife.

Trails within the Wood give visitors a chance to discover an old leat, a watercourse that used to carry water 8km from Becky Falls to a pottery at Bovey Tracey. There is also a section of the Haytor granite horse-drawn tramway A P L F /

s and, in the ruins among the trees, the e r u t c

i disused Yarrow copper mine. P n e d n i

M Yarner Wood is one of three The Durham Coast NNR is important for birds like the little tern. Above right: flower-rich coastal grassland. neighbouring nature reserves that make e

up the East Dartmoor Woods and r

The Durham coastline is a landscape of Getting there: u t a

The reserve is in the Easington District and Heaths. N striking limestone cliffs, headlands and h s i l

comprises sections of coastline between g beaches. Glacial meltwaters have carved n Horden in the north and Crimdon in the E out gills and denes along its length. In In this beautiful area of Devon, there are Outside the site office at Yarner Wood. south. Parking at Crimdon Park, Blackhall internationally rare Western oak the past the coast has been disturbed by Rocks and Warren House Gill. Extensive Getting there: a century of colliery waste dumped on cycle route through the Heritage Coast. woodland, moorland, valley mire and the The NNR is in Dartmoor National Park on the cliff-tops and beaches. With the Regular local bus services. deep valley of the River Bovey. It is the B3344 from Bovey Tracy to Manaton. closure of the pits in the early important habitat for otter, dipper, grey 1990s and the cleansing action of the Trails, facilities and events: wagtail, salmon, sea trout and many Trails, facilities and events: sea, the spoil-covered beaches have The Durham Coastal Footpath is a 17.5km dragonflies. The nationally rare Yarner Wood’s main visitor area and car recovered. (11 miles) route from Seaham to Crimdon, Dartford warbler nests on the heathland. park opens from 8.30am to 7pm (or dusk, through stunning clifftop scenery. Range if earlier). Short loop – 2.5km (1.5 miles), of leaflets and guides available locally. and long loop – 3.5km (2 miles). These The reserve is of tremendous importance can combine to make a 6km (3.5 miles) for its unique grasslands. Two national When to visit: walk with short cuts back to car park if needed. rarities, the Durham argus butterfly and Summer for flowers and insects. Winter 2 9 0 , the day-flying least minor moth, feed on for birds. 5 2 e r When to visit: the common rock rose, which thrives on u t a

N Year-round to enjoy the changing wildlife. h

the limestone. Sand dune flowers s i l g n include nationally scarce species such as E / l l e d sea barley and burnt orchid. The reserve n e l G l

is also important for little tern and u a P purple sandpiper. Otters live on the River Bovey.

10 English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk 11 Farne Islands, Northumberland Fenn’s, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses, Shropshire 4 5

One of Europe’s most 9 , 9 1 e important seabird r u t a sanctuaries, this N h s i l g

archipelago of small n E / y l

islands off the e k a

Northumberland coast W r e t e is home to more than P 6 0 6

20 different species, , 4 2 / 9 including puffin, eider 8 5 , 4 2

duck and four species e r u t of tern. Many of the a N h s i l

birds are quite g n E / l l

confident near people e d n e so visitors can enjoy l G l u a close views. There is P also a large colony of grey Children view the nests of shag from a boardwalk on the Outer Farnes. Mires are a major feature of the special Mosses landscape. Right: the four spotted darter. seals. charge, which does not Puffin is The open landscape of Fenn's, Whixall Getting there: include the another and Bettisfield Mosses is a rare 6.5km (4 miles) south

Farne n The Farne Islands are probably best west of Whitchurch, a boat fare. Islands wilderness in a sea of lowland m d r bird. 16km (10 miles) south west of a known for their Christian associations o

agriculture. Here, in the largest part of B

Wrexham. South of the e t with the Northumbrian Saints – most e When to the Meres and Mosses straddling the A495. Roadside parking at the entrances, P notably St Cuthbert and St Aidan. St visit: English-Welsh border, visitors can spot and a large car park at Manor House. Cuthbert died on Inner Farne in 687 AD Mid-April and curlews and waders, dragonflies and and there is a chapel in his memory. early August butterflies. Trails, facilities and events: for seabirds. A series of waymarked trails, information The islands Getting there: panels at all main entrances and a are open all Intensive commercial peat extraction had The islands are in the North Sea, around programme of events. Leaflets available. year round, all but destroyed the area, but extensive 2km from Seahouses. There are 15-28 Refreshments and toilets are available in but at islands (depending on the tide), but only rehabilitation and restoration work by local pubs. Disabled access along the old restricted Inner Farne and Staple are open to the English Nature and its partners means railway line by prior arrangement. It is times. Check public. There is parking at Seahouses. The that mire species are rapidly returning. risky to leave the marked trails. with the islands are accessible only by boat, and National Trust local people run trips from Seahouses. on 01665 Protecting the fragile area is very When to visit: 721099 for important, so visitors need to stick to the June and July for dragonflies and Trails, facilities and events: opening trails for that – and their own safety. butterflies. April for the birds. Autumn A short nature trail on Inner Farne. times. Lifetime permits that give access to all for the colourful bog mosses. Details in the information leaflet available on site. Toilets on Inner Farne and in parts of the reserve are available for Seahouses. Refreshments and information people who want to explore the centre at Seahouses. There is an admission specialist wildlife further.

12 English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk 13 Finglandrigg Woods, Cumbria Gait Barrows, Lancashire

A fascinating mosaic of different Getting there: e habitats, Finglandrigg Wood is vital to The reserve is about 13km (8 miles) from r u t a lots of well-known wildlife, as well as Carlisle, off the B5307, 3km (2 miles) after N h s i Fingland. Park in the Haverlands lay-by l g many less-common species. Keep your n E /

and continue on foot along marked paths. s e eyes peeled for a red squirrel, as well as n o J - y e l

roe deer, brown hare and wood mouse. t e

Trails, facilities and events: P b

Badger and otter are likely to keep well o

Two marked walks. The 2km (1.25 miles) R : s e hidden! Finglandrigg has more 40 Chalybeate Well Trail takes 45 minutes to r u t c i species of breeding birds including an hour. Little Bampton Common Trail is a p l l buzzard, tawny owl, willow tit and reed 3km (1.75 miles) walk that takes around A Limestone pavement is a rare and outstanding feature to be enjoyed on the trails. bunting. two hours. Information panels around the site. Guided walks and children’s events Gait Barrows is a maze of grikes, clints Getting there: throughout the year. The whole of the Solway Plain area was and runnels – all features of an Gait Barrows is 3km (2 miles) from carved out during the most recent Ice impressive limestone pavement that is Silverdale. There is a small car park. A When to visit: Sunday bus service runs in summer. Age, leaving a landscape of low hills March to July for birds. April onwards for one of the most important in Britain. This rare, water-worn limestone, laid with boulders, called drumlins. Human butterflies. All seasons – especially at Trails, facilities and events: dawn and dusk – for squirrels. down in the shallow warm seas around hands shaped the site in the late 1700s Three trails – Limestone, Yew and Hawes and early 1800s, when the Enclosure 300 million years ago, dominates the Water – cover all the reserve features. Acts placed much of the common land 300-acre reserve, but has suffered at the Permits available for off-trail visits. The at Finglandrigg into private ownership. hands of 20th century home-improvers. Hawes Water Trail has good disabled Until the site was protected, people dug access. Moth evenings and children’s up the rare stone to decorate their events. gardens as rockeries. When to visit: Spring and summer for flowering plants. Fascinating plants and insects thrive in All year for woodland birds. the fissures (grikes) between the blocks

n of stone (clints). The grikes drain into o s n i b

o runnels – and these gutters carry away R n

h the water that re-emerges in the reserve’s o J two lakes. The pavement is surrounded by rich woodland 3 5 2 ,

7 where more than 1,600 1 e r u

t species of fungi have a N h s

i been recorded. l g n E / Watch out for y l e k

a 800 species W r e t of moth too. e

P Hawes Water reedbeds and high brown fritillary on Finglandrigg is home to lots of wildlife, including birds like the willow tit. common spotted orchid.

14 English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk 15 Gibraltar Point, Lincolnshire Golitha Falls,

Gibraltar Point is part of an ever- Getting there: changing coastline. For centuries, the 5.5km (3.5 miles) from Skegness. Well dynamics of sea and land have affected signposted from the town. Two pay and the people who live here. The nearby display car parks. town of Wainfleet was a busy port in medieval times, but its access to the sea Trails, facilities and events: A network of marked paths, an gradually silted up until it became observation platform at Mill Hill and completely isolated. For a while, public hides overlooking the Mere and A 4 7

Fenland lagoon. Visitor centre near the 2

Gibraltar Point was the closest that , 9 1 /

South Car Park, open daily from May to 0 larger boats could get to the town, and a 2 4 ,

October and on weekends and bank 0 small community grew up. But by the 2 e r

holidays the rest of the u t early part of this century, the sea had a year. N h s i l

retreated and new lines of dunes formed. g n E / y l e

When to visit: k a

The reserve is made up of sandy and W

All year round for r e t e muddy seashores, sand dunes, birds. P Visitors enjoy the all-ability trail in Draynes Wood, within the Golitha Falls reserve. saltmarshes and freshwater habitats Redshank is one of the John Robinson along three miles of the coast, from the birds at Gibraltar Point. Spectacular cascades and hundreds of Getting there: southern end of Skegness to the entrance years of human history make Golitha 5km (3 miles) north of The Wash. Among the Point’s Falls a special place. Picturesque woods west of Liskeard. 4km famous birds are little tern and it hosts grow on a steep-sided valley gorge, (2.5 miles) north of more than 200 species of migrating Dobwalls on the A38. where the cascades down a There is a car park. birds. series of waterfalls. These woods are a remnant of the ancient woodland that Trails, facilities covered much of the surrounding area. and events: Marked trails, The history of managing the wood by including easy access coppicing goes back to at least the time trail. Toilets in the car park. Ice cream van of the Domesday Book. Today, small- during the summer. There is a leaflet available and an information panel. scale coppicing has been re-started. 6 4

5 When to visit: ,

2 Although naturalists love Golitha for its 1 April to July for wildflowers. Any time of e r u

t plantlife, it is the overwhelming beauty a year for the river and falls. N h s

i of the place that draws visitors. Here, l g n E / wood, water and stone combine to create y l e k

a an enchanting landscape. W r e t e P One of the trails at Gibraltar Point, looking from Mill Hill.

16 English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk 17 Holkham, Norfolk Ingleborough, Yorkshire

As a boy, Lord Nelson loved to explore this stretch of coast. And it’s not surprising. Holkham is the most extensive, diverse and dramatic nature reserve on a coastline famous for nature reserves. There are windswept tidelines, a maze of creeks and saltings, miles of dunes and sandpits, shady pinewoods, green pastures and marshes. 2 6 8 , 6 2 e The area’s history, though, stretches back r u t a N long before Nelson. Holkham Fort dates e h r s i u l t g a n back to around AD47 and is the remains N E / h n s i e l d of an Iceni tribal settlement. Warriors of g n n e E t t i

this tribe fought with Queen Boadicea h

C Walkers on the reserve. Below right: one of the limestone pavement plants, bloody cranesbill. n i against the Romans. The only battles b o today are the skirmishes as thousands of R At Ingleborough, natural processes have Getting there: Walkers at Holkham. The coastal NNR also offers shady 8km (5 miles) north of the A65. About knot and a seasonal mix of redshank, pinewoods. created a majestic landscape of 9.5km (6 miles) from Ingleton. There are grey plover and dunlin dibble about over exceptional limestone pavements, Trails, facilities and events: gritstone capped peaks and underground car parks and lay-bys. Rail stations at the surface of the mud to find food. Ribblehead or Horton in Ribblesdale on The core section of the reserve, from Wells caverns. The range of rock types, soils to Holkham Bay, is criss-crossed by paths. the Settle to Carlisle railway. Getting there: There is a cycleway and bridleway, and altitudes, together with the effects of Holkham stretches from Burnham Norton comprehensive leaflet and beach users’ human management down the years, Trails, facilities and events: to Blakeney and covers about 4,000 guide. Toilets and refreshments at Wells have created an intriguing mix of plants, There are four marked walks of between hectares. There are three car parks. At Beach Road car park. insects, birds and other animals. The 3.5km and 15km, taking 1-1.5 hours to 5 Burnham Overy, parking is free but there rocks at Ingleborough were laid down hours. One runs between rail stations. is a charge for parking at Lady Ann’s Drive When to visit: Ingleborough can be challenging, even for and Wells Beach Road. around 300 million years ago. The huge Winter for migrant birds and thousands of experienced and expanses of Great Scar limestone rock, well-equipped pink-footed geese. Summer for sea revealed and pressurised by glaciers, lavender, orchids and terns. walkers. produced this giant cobbled ‘runway’. When to visit: Evidence is strong that man has farmed May to July for this area since prehistoric times. There limestone are ancient fields, traces of lost villages pavement plants. n o s n i and an Iron Age fort tops the summit b Peter Wakely/ o

R English Nature 19,551

n plateau. Ingleborough Hill is one of the h o J famous Three Peaks in the Yorkshire Dunlin are among the shoreline birds. Dales National Park.

18 English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk 19 Kingley Vale, West Sussex Lindisfarne, Northumbria

In 635AD, Holy Island, much of which Pinkfooted and greylag geese, widgeon, sits within the Lindisfarne NNR, became grey plover and bar-tailed godwit are the a reknowned Christian priory in the then other VIPs. Brought ashore by water kingdom of Northumbria. After the and wind, the sand of the dunes is death of the Priory’s greatest bishop, gradually tamed by marram grass. The Cuthbert, in 687AD, it produced perhaps dunes support many plants, such as the the 7th century’s greatest work of art, the early forget-me-nots. Lindisfarne Gospels. These are now housed in the British Library, but a Getting there: Holy Island is sign-posted from the A1 0 computer version can be seen at the 3 3 ,

7 south of Berwick-upon-Tweed. The island 2 Lindisfarne Heritage Centre. e r can only be reached at low tide across a u t a

N long causeway. Always check the tide h s i l The ever-changing coastline of the NNR

g timetables. Car parks at Budle Bay on n E /

e offers a variety of wildlife seldom seen Holy Island, and at Beal on the mainland. n e e

K elsewhere. Tidal mudflats, saltmarshes l u a P and dunes combine to create a home for Trails, facilities and events: Inspirational moments with Kingley Vale’s yews. fascinating plants and bird visitors from The trail covers 5km (3 miles) and takes 1.5 thousands of miles away. Every autumn, to 3 hours. Childrens activity booklet Some of Britain’s oldest living things – Getting there: available. ancient yews – are found in this 5km (3 miles) north west of Chichester. the jet-set fly in! Six internationally beautiful, but sometimes eerie, reserve. Leave the A286 at Mid Lavant, or bike important species of wildfowl and from Chichester station. The main car wading birds overwinter here. For the When to visit: Certainly the yew grove at twilight is no July and August for butterflies. Autumn park is near the village of West Stoke. The pale-bellied Brent geese, this is their place for the faint-hearted and it is little reserve is signed from there and is about for the wildfowl and waders. wonder that legends of hauntings 15 minutes’ walk. only regular wintering place in Britain. abound. People have been associated with Kingley Vale since far beyond Trails, facilities and events: recorded history. On the summit of Bow Small field centre with wheelchair and Hill are the tombs of ancient chieftains pushchair access. Permanent displays and of the tribes who lived here around information. A marked circular trail through the main habitats, starting and 1,000 BC. These barrows are known finishing at the field centre. locally as the Devil’s humps. Elsewhere,

there are signs of Roman, Celtic and 1 9

When to visit: 9 , 9 mediaeval settlements and cultivation. 1

All year round, but May to August are e r u t

recommended. a N h s i The rich downland blooms with up to 50 l g n E / y species of flowering plants and grasses l e k a

per square metre, and 39 of Britain’s 58 W r e t butterfly species have been recorded e P here. Visitors to Lindisfarne.

20 English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk 21 Lower Derwent Valley, East Yorkshire Moor House-Upper Teesdale

Lower Derwent Valley is a series of Remote, dramatic and exhilarating, flood meadows, pasture and woodland Moor House is a place of spectacular 8 2 2 , teeming with fascinating plants and 5 geological formations, waterfalls and 2 e r u thousands of birds. t panoramic views. Cauldron Snout and a N h

s High Force waterfalls are simply i l g n E

More than 80 species of birds have bred / astounding, particularly after rain, and s t t a

here in recent years. The wildfowl W are well worth the walk to them. N include pintail, gargany and gadwall, P Lapwing, above, and, below, meadowsweet in the and the waders include curlew, lapwing, Derwent Valley. One of England’s largest NNRs, it is snipe, redshank and oystercatcher. particularly well known for the plants that originally colonised the highest In winter, the grasslands attract up to Pennines after the Ice Age. You can also 5,000 teal, up to 70 Bewick’s swan and see outstanding rock formations such as as many as 10,000 widgeon. Watch out, outcropping sugar limestone and the too, for the red-eyed damselfly, which Great Whin Sill. likes to bask on the water lilies, and other colourful dragonflies. Today in this renowned outdoor laboratory, scientists from the Centre for 0 5 1 ,

Getting there: Ecology and Hydrology are investigating 4 1 e r

Three main access points: Duffield Carrs u

the effects of a changing climate on t a car park is 1.5km (1 mile) east of North N h

upland plants and animals. s i l

Duffield off the A163; Bank Island is 1km g n E / y south-east of Wheldrake off the l e k Wheldrake to Thorganby road; Wheldrake Getting there: a W r

B6277 Alston Road out of Middleton-in- e is 1.5km (1 mile) south-east of Wheldrake t e off the Wheldrake to Thorganby road. Teesdale for 11km (7 miles) to the P Langdon Beck Hotel, left to the car park at High Force, an exhilarating and much-visited sight within the NNR. Cow Green Reservoir. Cumbria side of the Trails, facilities and events: reserve: A66 north of Appleby-in- Duffield Carrs has two hides, wheelchair Westmorland, then minor roads through Programme of events includes guided access and bike racks. Bank Island has two 9 walks and story-telling. The Pennine Way 7

0 Long Marton and Knock. , 4

hides, a viewing platform and bike racks. 1 runs through the NNR. e r u

Wheldrake has six hides. Access to the t a

N Trails, facilities and events:

Pocklington Canal, a tributary of the lower h s

i When to visit: l

g Three nature trails. The 5km (3 miles)

Derwent, is available at nine locations and n E

/ Spring and summer for alpine wildflowers y

l Widdybank Fell is accessible for

is ideal for walking, though not accessible e

k and waders. a wheelchairs and takes about 2 hours. for wheelchairs. W r e

t Waterfalls and wildlife trail covers 12 km e P (7.5 miles) and takes about 5 hours. The When to visit: 'up on the ridge' trail covers 12 km (7.5 December – March for waterfowl, May miles) and takes about 5 hours. and June for breeding birds and flowering meadows.

22 English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk 23 North Meadow, Cricklade, Wiltshire Old Winchester Hill, Hampshire

Once there were many meadows like this carved stones mark the boundaries along the upper Thames but most have separating the different ‘hay lots’. been destroyed by agricultural improvement or gravel extraction. North Getting there: Meadow is an old, flower-rich hay Off the A419, 20 minutes walk north west meadow with a huge variety of of Cricklade town centre. Car parking and bus links in the town. Roadside parking 3

wildflowers – so many, in fact, that it is 4 7 4 , within 300 metres of the reserve. 9 7 5 2 e r one of Europe’s finest. The spectacular e r u t u t a a N

blossoming of snake’s head fritillary N h s Trails, facilities and events: h i s l i l g g

flowers brings people from all over the n

Three marked trails. Leaflets and n E / E / y l s e country during April. In winter, the n

information panels. Toilets and k o a b b W refreshments in Cricklade. Guided walks. i r Rivers Thames and Churn frequently G e t b e o P flood the meadow. This is vital to help B When to visit: Time to kick off the footwear in a quiet corner of Old Winchester Hill. the plants thrive. Right: round-headed rampion. April for snake’s head fritillary flowers. The people of Cricklade have managed June and July for the meadow flowers. All The spectacular ancient hill-fort is said Several types of orchids thrive here, as year for birds. North Meadow for hundreds of years, to pre-date the Iron Age and gives views do flowers like the round-headed latterly in partnership with English as far as the south coast and the Isle of rampion. Look out, too, for juniper Nature which has owned most of the Wight. There are many overlapping bushes. Butterflies such the chalkhill meadow since the early 1970s. Ancient layers of history here. Bronze Age blue appear in large numbers in summer. burial mounds for important members of local society were built on the crest of Getting there: the hill between 4,500 and 3,500 years 1.5km (1 mile) south west of Warnford, ago. These mounds – known as barrows along minor roads. There is an on-site car – can now be seen as large grassy park, sign-posted from the A32.

6 lumps. 5 6

, Trails, facilities and events: 1 1 e 2.5km (1.5 mile) nature trail. Leaflets, and r u t a The fort, which has never been information panels. Easy access trail from N h s i l excavated, is believed to have been a a dedicated car park fitted with Radar g n E / padlock. Keep to the paths. There may y defended settlement for a Celtic l e k a chieftain. Within the fort itself, you can be unexploded ammunition. Picnic tables W r

e and an ice cream van in summer. t e still see the site of the huts as subtle P hollows. Some of the hollows, though, were created during World War II, when When to visit: June and July for wildflowers. May to the army used the hill as a mortar firing October for invertebrates. s i v

a range! D n e h p e t S North Meadow is renowned for its snake’s head fritillary show.

24 English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk 25 Redgrave and Lopham Fen, Suffolk Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes, Lincolnshire

For centuries, local people dug peat for Getting there: fuel, harvested reed and sedge for From the B1113 (between Redgrave and thatching and grazed the drier margins South Lopham). From the A1066 with cattle. But, as these activities dried (between South Lopham and Bressingham). The main car parks are at up, so did the fen. Drainage and water the visitor centre. abstraction dried the fen even further. Trails, facilities and events: 8

The National Trust is working to Three nature trails, a nature trail leaflet, 7 1 , 4 rehydrate the fen and re-create its and information panels. The visitor centre 2 e r u is open 10am-5pm on Saturdays and t wonderful wildlife habitats. Already a N h

Sundays – toilets and refreshments s i wetland species such as butterwort, l g n

available. Programme of E / l marsh and fragrant orchid and birds such l e

courses and wildlife d n e as snipe have made a comeback. l events. Paths G l u a

and viewing P Redgrave and Lopham Fen is the largest platform for Sand dunes and (below) southern marsh-orchid. disabled visitors. remaining river valley fen in England Military as well as natural history makes Getting there: and the source of the River Waveney. It this 8km stretch of dunes a fascinating A short distance from the A1031 between is also one of the most important When to Saltfleet and Mablethorpe. There are visit: place. This constantly changing wetlands in Europe with fantastic coastline in north-east Lincolnshire was seven car parks. The main one – Rimac – is wildlife, including many species now Any time of year, but signed from the main road. Bus services April to September for a bombing range in the 1930s and was nearby. rare in Britain. The small pools are wildlife. fortified with pillboxes and tank traps in home to the elegant fen raft spider found World War Two. It became a nature in only one other area in the UK. Trails, facilities and events: reserve in 1969 and is a haven for Sea View trails (three walks); Churchill Boardwalk and (above) the plants, insects, resident and migratory Lane trails (two walks); Rimac trail fen raft spider. birds and mammals such as water vole. (one easy access route). Public toilets open from May to October. Free guided walks In the 13th century, a series of unusually from May to September. violent storms began to form today’s Trails leaflet available from dunes. The sea threw up shingle and the reserve office. 3 7 8 ,

other beach-building material, and 7 1 e r 9 u 1 t

9 strong winds blew sand to the back of When to visit: a , 1 N 2 / h

9 Summer for flowers, insects s

the beach. The same processes are still i 7 l 6 g , n 6 and birds. Winter for E 1 at work, creating new shingle ridges, / y e l r e

u migrant birds. k t a a dunes and saltmarsh. N W r h e s i t l e g P n E / y l e k a W r e t e P

26 English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk 27 Shapwick Heath, Somerset Slapton Ley, Devon

Shapwick Heath is a monument to the Visitors can also explore the history of history and culture of Neolithic man, the area in the Iron Age reconstruction who came here 6,000 years ago and village near the Peat Moors Centre. made this his tribal homeland. For centuries, peat was harvested and those Getting there: areas have been transformed into a Near Shapwick, off the A39. Car parks wilderness of open water, reed swamp clearly marked. and reedbed. With green, flowery meadows, still dark ditches, secret fens Trails, facilities and events: and shady wet woodlands, this is a Marked paths, an easy access trail and a 8

series of hides. The Peat Moors Centre is 9 3 , tranquil, atmospheric landscape. 7 open all year-round and has a café and 2 e r u toilets. Guided walks and events. t a N h s

Parts of the Neolithic Sweet Track – the i l g n E / oldest man-made route in Britain – still When to visit: l l e d

December and January for wildfowl. May n

exist here, preserved beneath the peat. e l G

for the hobby. Summer for warblers. l This remarkable timber track was built u a P in the spring of 3,806 BC to cross the Slapton Ley provides people with opportunities to spot n

birds like the great crested grebe. o reedswamp. Many artefacts have been s n i b o found, including a child’s toy tomahawk Slapton Ley is a highly unusual wetland, R

Getting n h o and pots of hazelnuts. Today, watch out and is divided into two ‘leys’, or there: J for otters, waterfowl, hairy dragonflies freshwater lakes, separated from the sea Alongside the and listen for the elusive bittern. by the narrowest of land bridges. It is a A379, 13km (8 mosaic of habitats, including reedbed, miles) from Kingsbridge, e r fen and woodland. These create a wide u

t 9.5km (6 miles) a N variety of ‘ecological niches’ and a h from Dartmouth. There are three car s i l g

n wonderful diversity of plants and parks. The Dartmouth to Kingsbridge bus E animals. runs near the reserve.

Slapton is famous for migrant warblers Trails, facilities and events: and the open water is home to many Two birdwatching hides and a 2.5km (1.5 miles) nature trail. Leaflets from the field species of waterfowl. The reserve also 8

8 centre in Slapton village. Disabled access, 3 ,

7 has more than 490 species of plants and 2 toilets and viewing ramp. Refreshments. e r u t 2,000 species of fungi. Porpoises, a N h s basking sharks and grey seal can i l When to visit: g n E

/ occasionally be seen off Slapton Sands April to October for birds and wildflowers. l l e d n during the summer months. e l G l u a P Enjoying a stroll through Shapwick, where it’s not hard to imagine the ancient Sweet Track.

28 English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk 29 Stiperstones, Shropshire Stodmarsh, Kent Stiperstones, Shropshire l Stodmarsh, Kent l e b p m a C e i r u a L 2 8 0 , 0 2 e r u t a N h s i l g n E / y l e k a W r e t e P n o s a M n h o J The Stiperstones ridge is rough, but there is an easy access trail at its foot. Birdwatching from the Stodmarsh causeway. Right: sedge warbler. If the Devil can flatten the Stiperstones, the easy to the highly Earliest records show that the Getting there: all of England will perish – so says one strenuous. Augustinian monks were the first to use Stodmarsh NNR lies this land. They dug ditches to bring the between Stodmarsh of the many legends inspired by this Paul Glendell/English Nature floodwater of the adjoining River Stour village and Grove spectacular 10km quartzite ridge. Four Getting there: Ferry near the A28 Near Minsterley, Shropshire. The reserve is onto the meadows. The marsh was cairns and a Bronze Age long barrow are Canterbury to Thanet n o s

well signed from the main roads. n excellent grazing for mares in foal and i evidence of human activity going back road, about four miles b o

Five car parks around the reserve. The R

was known as Stud-marsh, now changed from Canterbury city n

3,000 years. There is also an Iron Age h

Stiperstones Shuttle bus service – summer o centre. J hill fort, and a lost and ghostly Roman weekends and bank holidays. to Stodmarsh. Flood barriers and legion is rumoured to march the ridge. mining have been subsequent influences. Trails, facilities and events: Trails, facilities and events: Four bird hides, an observation mound, The landscape, wildlife and history have 500 metre all-ability trail. 8km (5 miles) These large wetland habitats attract a and an easy access nature trail of between inspired novels by Mary Webb and DH Stiperstones Stomp trail over exposed, rich variety of wildlife. The reserve is 0.6km (0.3 miles) and 1.1km (0.6 miles), Lawrence, musical works – and a beer! rough terrain. Toilets and refreshments in particularly noted for its large depending on the chosen route. nearby villages and pubs. population of breeding and wintering Information panels and leaflets. Toilets in Much of the area is heather heathland, birds, some of which are rare. Birds like one of the two car parks. Refreshments available locally. created when people first cleared trees When to visit: bearded tit and the secretive bittern, Late summer for the heather and gorse in breed here. Other birds, like reed so that they could graze their animals. full bloom. Weather can make it tricky in bunting and sedge warbler use the When to visit: There are also hay meadows and winter. Any time of year for birds. woodland. These habitats are home to reedbeds for nesting and the reserve is lots of animal and birdlife – from the also home to the endangered water vole, curlew and grouse to the brown hare and ‘Ratty’ from The Wind in the Willows. emperor moth. The walking varies from

30 English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk 31 Studland and Godlingston Heath, Dorset Teesmouth, Cleveland

Mysterious man-made hollows, barrows Getting there: Teesmouth is a nature reserve with a migrant birds. You may also spot merlin and standing stones, 20th Century On Studland Peninsula, 1.5km (1 mile) difference. In this extraordinary blend and peregrine hunting here. bunkers and shell holes. Studland’s north of Studland village. Pay and display of industry and nature, you can find tens archaeology is just as fascinating as its car parks. A bus and private ferry also of thousands of water-birds, common Getting there: operate to the reserve. geology and its wildlife. Fine beaches and grey seals – and a reminder that 1.5km (1 mile) east of the A1778 and north of Middlesborough. Two car parks stretch continuously for miles from Trails, facilities and events: industry isn’t a modern phenomenon. In mediaeval times, the salt industry had at North Gare and Cowpen Marsh. Hourly South Haven Point to the chalk cliffs of Four birdwatching hides and various bus service. Handfast Point and Old Harry Rocks. nature trails, from 400 metres to 1.5km (1 already begun to change the Tees The heathland behind this beach is a mile). Leaflets and signs. The boardwalk estuary. You can still see the grass- to the beach is suitable for wheelchairs. Trails, facilities and events: haven for many rare birds, including the covered mounds of ash from the fires Seal Sands easy access path. Two Visitor centre, shop and café. Guided that evaporated the sea water to observation hides, information panels and Dartford warbler and nightjar. tours and a programme of events. Toilets leaflets. Toilets and refreshments at at Shell Bay, Knoll and Middle Beach. crystallize the valuable salt. 18th Sand dune ridges have built up over the Century industrialists shipped raw nearby British Energy Visitor Centre and in Seaton Carew. last 400 years to enclose the Little Sea – When to visit: materials from here and manufacturing an acidic freshwater lake which attracts Winter for wildfowl. Summer for developed. heathland plants and animals. When to visit: wintering wildfowl. One unmissable Spring and summer for dune flowers. landmark is the Agglestone, a large Magnificent seals became extinct in the Autumn for cormorant, curlew and block of iron-rich sandstone, which has Tees estuary during the 19th Century redshank. Winter for flocks of knot, stood up to erosion by wind and water. because of pollution, disturbances to shelduck and sanderling. their habitats and hunting. Today, they have returned and are breeding again. Several hundred shelduck converge at Teesmouth, along with great flocks of 4 6 3 , 7 2 e r u t a N h s i l g n E / l l e d n e l G l u a P 8 6 8 8 6 4 , , 8 7 2 e r e u r t u a t a N N h s h i l s i g l n g E n / E y / l s e n k o a b W b i r G e t b e o P B Riders take advantage of the heathland tracks. Inset: sand lizard. John Robinson Teesmouth – industry makes it different but hugely interesting. Inset: grey seals are frequent visitors.

32 English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk 33 , Cornwall Thursley, Surrey

Walkers on a Thursley boardwalk. Below left, the purple emperor butterfly. n a m p a h C d i 8 v 4 a 3 , D 7 2 e r u t a N h s i l e g r n u t E / a l l N e d h s n i l e l g G n l E / u e a n P e e K

Children build a sandcastle on Kennack Sands. Marsh l The Lizard peninsula’s extraordinary u a

fritillary (inset) is one of the butterflies of The Lizard, P geology erupted from the planet’s core and buzzard (below) hunt across the Downs. The Getting there: 400 million years ago. The rocks were John Getting there: Robinson Devil Between the villages of Elstead and shoved and cooked by Earth-shattering The A3083 and B3293 stands on Thursley. The A3 runs along part of the forces, and deposited in a series of cross the area. 12 car the hills eastern boundary. Main car park at the multicoloured layers onto the most parks at different sites Moat. Limited parking in Thursley village. around The Lizard. nearby and Derek southerly part of the British mainland, in Middleton/ Bus service from Godalming. Thor throws a FLPA Cornwall. A wealth of wildlife can be stone at him. It misses and lands in the found here. Trails, facilities and Trails, facilities and events: events: marsh instead. This is the legend that is Extensive network of bridleways and The South West Coast Path continues said to give Thursley – in the lee of paths, and boardwalks to the wetter areas. Kennack is one of the finest and most around the perimeter of the whole Thor’s throw – its name. Myth this may Leaflets and information. Toilets at the accessible beaches on The Lizard. In peninsula. Easy access area on Goonhilly. be, but Thursley is still a colourful place. National Trust’s Witley information centre. summer, the world’s second-largest fish, Information panels and leaflets. Footpath Parts of the site have been used for With its lowland heath, mire and the plankton-eating basking shark, can and bridleway network. Visitor centre at military training – suspicious objects woodland, it is one of the largest areas of often be glimpsed close inshore. Goonhilly. should be left untouched and reported to heathland in Surrey. the police. At Goonhilly Downs, the heaths are When to visit: Lizard flowers are at their best in spring Twenty-six species of dragonfly have When to visit: bright with colourful plants – especially and summer, but the mild climate ensures been recorded on the reserve, along with May to September for birds, dragonflies in July and August. Buzzards, owls and blooms all year. healthy populations of silver-studded and flowers. other birds of prey hunt across the blue, grayling and purple emperor downs. With its turquoise sea in a butterflies. Birds to watch for include shallow cove with islands and caves, woodlark, hobby and Dartford warbler. Kynance can feel like the Mediterranean.

34 English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk 35 Walberswick, Suffolk Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire

A whole range of habitats comes Getting there: together at Walberswick. There are Just south of the village of Walberswick some of the best remaining areas of (between Southwold and Dunwich) on the Sandlings heathland, along with Suffolk coast. The western edge follows the A12. Three English Nature car parks reedbeds, inter-tidal mud-flats, grazing and two more in Walberswick. Hourly bus marsh, hay meadows, woodland and the from Lowestoft to Ipswich. 4 tidal estuary of the River Blyth. 5 2 , 7 2

Trails, facilities and events: e r u t The reserve’s Westwood Marsh is 20 miles of footpaths. Observation hide. a N h s i

Guided walks in summer. l

probably the largest block of freshwater g n E / l l

reedbed in Britain – ideal for one of its a s r e most secretive residents, the bittern. The When to visit: m o G

All year, but spring for marsh harrier and s i area was reclaimed for grazing at the r h

bittern. Winter for avocet. Summer for C beginning of the 18th Century, but nightjar and butterflies. A school party takes advantage of Wicken Fen’s facilities. flooded for defence purposes during World War II. This allowed the reeds to Wicken Fen has been shaped by and other watercourses carry a wealth of spread back over the marsh, restoring its centuries of use by man. The wetland aquatic plants, and the rich insect-life former glory. has played an important role in the includes notable dragonflies, spiders and social and economic life of the area. It snails. Charles Darwin collected beetles There are otter, five kinds of provided materials for thatching local on the Fen in the 1820s. houses, bedding and feed for animals,

deer, more than 240 species A P L F

/ fish and fowl for food, and peat for fuel. Getting there: s

of birds and around 500 e r

u South of the A1123, 5km (3 miles) west of t c different sorts of butterflies i P Soham, 14.5km (9 miles) south of Ely. Car n

e Wicken Fen is highly unusual in and larger moths. d n

i parking on site.

M landscape terms. A remnant of the once massive Cambridgeshire Fens, it Trails, facilities and events: preserves a true sense of wetland Three nature trails and bird hide. Visitor wilderness. centre and café open Tuesdays to Sundays. Full programme of events. Admission Boardwalks take visitors into the charge. More information from the original peat fen, which supports rare National Trust on 1 5

1 01353 720274. , n 7 fenland plants such as marsh pea, fen 2 o s e n r i u b t

violet and marsh fern. In the rough o a R N

When to visit: n h h s

i pasture, reedbeds and pools of o l J

g All year. n E / Adventurer's Fen, breeding wetland birds Water rail. n e d

n and wintering wildfowl include teal, e t t i h

C wigeon, shoveler, pochard and tufted n i b

o duck. The dykes, abandoned claypits R Walkers on a sweep of coastline at Walberswick. Top: bittern.

36 English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk 37 Where to find 18 9 Spotlight National Wye, Kent 20 Moor House-Upper Nature Reserves Teesdale Northumberland 21 North Meadow, Cricklade 22 Old Winchester Hill Tyne & Wear 23 Redgrave and Lopham Fen 11 24 Saltfleetby- Cumbria Durham 4 Theddlethorpe Dunes 20 7 1 Ainsdale Sand Dunes 30 25 Shapwick Heath 2 Aston Rowant 26 Slapton Ley 3 Barnack Hills and 27 Stiperstones 5

6 6

6 Holes

, 28 Stodmarsh

7 16 1 /

5 4 Castle Eden Dene North Yorkshire 29 Studland and 3 12 9 , 3

1 5 Derbyshire Dales Godlingston Heath e r

u 19 t (Lathkill) a Lancashire East Riding 30 Teesmouth N

h West of Yorkshire

s 6 Duncombe Park

i 31 The Lizard l

g Yorkshire n

E 7 Durham Coast / 1 32 Thursley y

l Greater e

k 8 East Dartmoor South a Manchester 33 Walberswick

W Yorkshire 24 r Woods and Heaths Merseyside e 34 Wicken Fen t e P (Yarner Wood) 35 Wye The views from Wye Downs are matchless. Right: flowers include early spider orchids. Cheshire 5 Lincolnshire 9 Farne Islands Derbyshire 13 Notts What first strikes most visitors to this downland and its 10 Fenn’s, Whixall and 15 10 reserve is the fantastic view and the other wildlife. Bettisfield Mosses Staffordshire 11 Finglandrigg Woods spectacular landscape. Who could fail Shropshire 12 Gait Barrows Rutland 3 Norfolk to be impressed by the Devil's Kneading Getting there: 27 13 Gibraltar Point Leicestershire Trough – a steep-sided ‘coombe’ carved 9.5km (6 miles) West 14 Golitha Falls 23 from Ashford on Midlands into the chalk escarpment by melt waters 15 Holkham 34 33 the North Downs, Northants Cambs from the last Ice Age. Warwickshire Suffolk near the village of 16 Ingleborough Hereford Worcester Wye. Car parking opposite the reserve. 17 Kingley Vale Beds Turn your eyes to the ground, and you 18 Lindisfarne 19 Lower Derwent Gloucestershire Herts will be looking at one of Britain’s best Trails, facilities and events: Bucks examples of chalk grassland, noted for Valley Essex Nature trail (very steep in places) – 4km 2 its rich plant-life. The reserve boasts (2.5 miles). Information and leaflets. 21 Oxfordshire Avon Greater around 4,000 different plant species. As Toilets and refreshments in the village of Berkshire London Wye. well as 19 different types of orchids, Wiltshire 28 Surrey Kent 35 there are fragrant herbs, such as wild Hampshire 25 32 marjoram, basil and thyme. You only When to visit: Somerset Summer for views over the Weald and for West East Sussex 22 Sussex have to walk on the grass in summer to wildflowers and butterflies. 17 smell their presence. The steepness of Devon Dorset the landscape is what saved Wye Downs 8 29 from the plough. This reserve is now Cornwall 14 grazed, as it would have been traditionally, to conserve the plant-rich 26

38 English Nature Enquiry Service, 01733 455100 or www.english-nature.org.uk 31 English Nature is the Government agency that champions the conservation of wildlife and geology throughout England.

This is one of a range of publications published by English Nature, Northminster House, Peterborough PE1 1UA. www.english-nature.org.uk

© English Nature 2005

Printed on Evolution Satin, 75% recycled post-consumer waste paper, elemental chlorine free.

ISBN 1 85716 860 7 Catalogue code ST11.6

Front cover photographs: Top left: Bee orchid. Peter Wakely/English Nature Bottom left: Tree sparrow. John Robinson Main: A family enjoys a walk across Studland and Godlingston Heath NNR. Bob Gibbons/English Nature

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