This
is a list of recommended sites to be found within the three counties.
It is by no means exhaustive but includes the majority of those sites
which appear regularly in the Recent Sightings pages on the UTB website.
All of the places mentioned here have year-round free public access
unless otherwise stated. If you can recommend any other good sites
with public access, please contact the Webmaster.
You will need
a decent map to find many of these places. The Ordnance Survey Explorer
series (1:25,000) is recommended, although the Landranger series (1:50,000)
will be adequate for most. Locations have been given using the National
Grid Reference system, marked on all Ordnance Survey maps. Use of
this system is explained on each O.S. map but it may be worth giving
a quick overview here. The UK is divided into squares of 100 kilometers
by 100 kilometers and each of these squares is allocated a two-letter
code. The 100 km squares which interest us are mainly ‘SP’ and ‘SU’:
Every
100 km square is divided into 10 km squares. Each of these 10 km squares
is further subdivided into 1km squares, from which a reasonably accurate
reference down to 100 metres can be obtained. The first three digits
are the Easting (horizontal reference) and the last three digits are
the Northing (vertical reference), giving a full reference for the
centre of Aylesbury as SP 825140.
Images on these
pages have been produced from the Ordnance Survey “Get-a-map” service.
They are reproduced here with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and
Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.
Buckinghamshire
A.
Aston Clinton Ragpits (SP 888109)
A Wildlife
Trust reserve 4¼ miles southeast of Aylesbury. A small area
of chalk downland and disused pits at the base of the Chilterns. No
car park (use verge at SP 888108 on unclassified road off the A4011
towards Wendover Woods, St Leonards and Chesham). Species include
Chalkhill Blue, Green Hairstreak.
For more details & site map: http://www.bbowt.org.uk/pages/reserves/leaflets/AstonClinton.pdf
B.
Bernwood Forest (SP
615114)
A large Forest Enterprise woodland complex 7 miles northeast of Oxford,
incorporating Oakley, Shabbington and York’s Woods and Hell Coppice,
all of which is now managed as a nature reserve. Car park at SP 610116
off the unclassified road from Oakley to Stanton St John. Species
include Black, Brown and Purple Hairstreak, White Admiral, Purple
Emperor, Silver-washed Fritillary.
C.
Bernwood Meadows (SP 608109)
A Wildlife Trust reserve adjacent to Bernwood Forest. Two wild flower
meadows. Very small car park at SP 606111 off the unclassified road
from Oakley to Stanton St John. Species include Black and Brown Hairstreak,
Marbled White.
For more details
& site map: http://www.bbowt.org.uk/pages/reserves/leaflets/BernwoodMeadows.pdf
D.
Black Park (TQ 010835)
A Country Park 3 miles northeast of Slough owned by Bucks County Council.
An area of mixed woodland with some restored heath. Open 8am to dusk.
Car park (£2 per day, pay and display) by the lake at TQ 005832,
off Black Park Road. Species include Purple Hairstreak, White Admiral,
Purple Emperor.
E.
Blue Lagoon (SP 868326)
A Local Nature Reserve in Bletchley owned by Milton Keynes Council.
A reclaimed former brickworks site. Car park at SP 871325. Species
include Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Small Blue.
F.
Buttler’s Hangings (SU 818962)
A Wildlife Trust reserve 3 miles northwest of central High Wycombe
on land owned by the Dashwood Estate. An area of chalk downland with
beech woods above. No car park. Park at SU 818958 on the verge of
the unclassified road from West Wycombe to Saunderton (Slough Lane).
Species include Silver-spotted Skipper, Chalkhill Blue, Dark Green
Fritillary.
G.
Chinkwell Wood (SP 666143)
A PRIVATE mixed woodland site 8 miles southeast of Bicester owned
by Forest Enterprise, with a set-aside meadow on its southern side.
ACCESS ONLY ALONG PUBLIC FOOTPATHS. No car park (park in Brill village
and use the footpath network). Species include Black, Brown and Purple
Hairstreak, White Admiral, Purple Emperor.
H.
College Lake (SP 932144)
A Wildlife Trust reserve 2 miles north of Tring. A reclaimed chalk
quarry. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5pm (there is a small entry charge
and a visitor permit is required, obtained from the Warden’s Office
on site). Car park at SP 935138 off the B488 between Tring and Ivinghoe.
Species include Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Chalkhill Blue, Small
Blue.
For more details
& site map: http://www.bbowt.org.uk/pages/reserves/leaflets/CollegeLake.pdf
I.
College Wood (SP 790330)
A Woodland Trust reserve 8 miles east of Buckingham. An area of established
mixed woodland with a young copse by its entrance. Small car park
at SP 787327 off the unclassified road between Nash and Little Horwood.
Species include Wood White.
For more details
& site map: http://www.wt-woods.org.uk/pdf/wbimage-5049.pdf
J.
Dancersend (SP 900095)
A Wildlife Trust reserve 5 miles southeast of Aylesbury. Two separate
areas, comprising chalk downland to the northwest and mixed woodland
with small meadows to the southeast. No car park (use verge adjacent
to various entry points or, for the southern end of the reserve, park
in the waterworks yard at SP 904089). Species include Grizzled Skipper,
Green Hairstreak, Duke of Burgundy.
For more details
& site map: http://www.bbowt.org.uk/pages/reserves/leaflets/Dancersend.pdf
K.
Finemere Wood (SP 717219)
A Wildlife Trust reserve 8 miles northwest of Aylesbury. An area of
mixed woodland. No car park (use verge at SP 721209 on unclassified
road between Quainton and Edgcott; entrance to wood is ¾ mile
along public footpath from that point). Species include Grizzled Skipper,
Black, White-letter and Purple Hairstreak, White Admiral, Purple Emperor.
For more details
& site map: http://www.bbowt.org.uk/pages/reserves/leaflets/Finemere.pdf
L.
Grangelands (SP 828048)
A Bucks County Council reserve 1½ miles northeast of Princes
Risborough, on the west side of Pulpit Hill (National Trust). An area
of chalk downland and scrub with beech woods above. Car park at SP
833046 on unclassified road above Lower Cadsden. Species include Dingy,
Grizzled and Silver-spotted Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Chalkhill Blue,
Small Blue.
M.
Holtspur Valley Reserves (SU 919905 & SU
916906)
Two adjacent Local Nature Reserves 1½ miles west of central
Beaconsfield on land owned by Beaconsfield Town Council. Both are
small areas of chalk grassland with some deciduous woodland. No car
park at either location. Access to Holtspur Bank Local Nature Reserve
at SU 919906 (Riding Lane) and access to Holtspur Bottom Butterfly
Reserve at SU 918906 (on public footpath that leaves Riding Lane by
the railway bridge). Suggested parking by the school in Cherry Tree
Road (SU 923904), off Holtspur Top Lane. Riding Lane can then be reached
along the short public footpath which starts opposite the entrance
to Cherry Tree Road. Holtspur Bottom is leased to Butterfly Conservation
and managed by the Upper Thames Branch. Species include Dingy Skipper,
Grizzled Skipper, Small Blue, Purple Hairstreak.
N.
Homefield Wood (SU 813868)
A small reserve 2 miles west of Marlow owned by Forest Enterprise
but managed by the Wildlife Trust. An area of young woodland with
some grassland, part of a much larger Forest Enterprise woodland complex.
No car park as such but parking is available in the lay-by at SU 814866
on the unclassified road between Bockmer End and Lower Woodend. Species
include Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak,
Silver-washed Fritillary, White Admiral.
P.
Howe Park Wood (SP 834344)
A Local Nature Reserve at Tattenhoe on land owned by Milton Keynes
Council. An area of mixed woodland on the southwestern edge of Milton
Keynes. Car park at SP 830345. Species include Grizzled Skipper.
Q.
Ivinghoe Beacon (SP 961168)
A National Trust reserve 3 miles northeast of Tring. A large area
of chalk downland. Car park at SP 963160 on unclassified road (Beacon
Road) between Ivinghoe Aston and Little Gaddesden. Species include
Dingy Skipper, Chalkhill Blue, Green Hairstreak, Duke of Burgundy,
Dark Green Fritillary.
R.
Little Linford Wood (SP 831455)
A Wildlife Trust reserve 4½ miles north of central Milton Keynes.
An area of mixed woodland. Car park at SP 834456, accessed at SP 850458
from the unclassified road between Gayhurst and Little Linford (follow
track for just over a mile, passing under the M1 and past Dairy Farm,
to reach the wood). Species include Purple Hairstreak, White Admiral.
For more details
& site map: http://www.bbowt.org.uk/pages/reserves/leaflets/LittleLinford.pdf
S.
Prestwood Picnic Site (SU 866991)
A Local Nature Reserve 3 miles north of High Wycombe on land owned
by Wycombe District Council. A small area of chalk grassland and scrub.
Car park at site, accessed from unclassified road (Hampden Road) between
Hughenden and Prestwood. Species include Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper,
Chalkhill Blue.
T.
Rushbeds Wood & Lapland Farm Meadows (SP
668156)
A Wildlife Trust reserve 7 miles southeast of Bicester. An area of
mixed woodland with wildflower meadows along its southern edge and
to the north. Parking at SP 674154 for Rushbeds (southeastern corner
of wood, gated track across railway bridge to car park - please close
the gate behind you) or on the verge by the road junction at SP 670163
for the Lapland Farm meadows (walk along the private road leading
to Bernwode Plants). Species include Black, Brown and Purple Hairstreak,
White Admiral, Purple Emperor, Marbled White.
For more details
& site map: http://www.bbowt.org.uk/pages/reserves/leaflets/RushbedsWood.pdf
U.
Wendover Woods (SP 890085)
A large Forest Enterprise woodland complex east of Wendover. The main
car park is at SP 891101 (on unclassified road near top of Aston Hill),
but for the infamous Wendover Woods buddleia bush park on the verge
at SP 889075 (Hale Lane) and follow the track up the hill from there.
Species include Purple Emperor, Silver-washed Fritillary.
V.
Whitecross Green Wood (SP 602146)
A Wildlife Trust reserve straddling the Bucks/Oxon boundary 5 miles
south of Bicester. An area of mixed woodland with some wide rides.
Parking at SP 600150 (gated track to car park - please close both
gates behind you). Species include Black, Brown and Purple Hairstreak,
Wood White, White Admiral, Purple Emperor.
For more details
& site map: http://www.bbowt.org.uk/pages/reserves/leaflets/WhitecrossGreen.pdf
W.
Yoesden Bank (SU 789980)
A private site with permitted public access at Radnage, 3 miles northwest
of West Wycombe. An area of chalk downland. No car park (park by Radnage
church and follow footpath through churchyard to site). Species include
Grizzled Skipper, Adonis Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Small Blue.
Berkshire
A.
Bowdown Wood (SU 501656)
A Wildlife Trust reserve 2 miles southeast of central Newbury, adjacent
to Greenham Common. An area of mixed woodland. Car parks at SU 501656,
SU 505653 and SU 512651, all accessed from tracks off Bury’s Bank
Road. Species include Purple Hairstreak, Silver-washed Fritillary,
White Admiral.
For more
details & site map: http://www.bbowt.org.uk/pages/reserves/leaflets/Bowdown.pdf
B.
Decoy Heath (SU 612634)
Infilled former gravel pits 1½ miles southeast of Aldermaston
village owned by John Stacey & Sons and managed as a reserve by
the Wildlife Trust. Now an area of woodland, heath and bog. Car park
at SU 614635. Species include Grayling.
C.
Greenham Common
(SU 500645)
A Local Nature Reserve 2½ miles southeast of central Newbury
on former Ministry of Defence land now managed by West Berkshire Council.
A very large site, previously a military airfield, which is being
restored to its original status as heathland. Car park beside the
old control tower at SU 499652 (off Bury’s Bank Road). Species include
Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Grayling.
D.
Lardon Chase & Lough Down (SU 589811)
A National Trust site on the western side of Streatley. An area of
chalk downland overlooking the River Thames. Car park at SU 583807
off the B4009. Species include Grizzled Skipper, Adonis Blue, Chalkhill
Blue, Small Blue.
E.
Maidenhead Thicket (SU 853809)
A National Trust site on the western edge of Maidenhead. An area of
deciduous wood and common land. Car park at SU 857809 off the unclassified
road (old A404) that leaves the A4 at the roundabout just east of
the A404(M) junction. Species include White-letter Hairstreak, Purple
Hairstreak.
F.
Moor Copse (SU 637740)
A Wildlife Trust reserve 1½ miles south of Pangbourne. Park
in layby on the A340 at SU 633738. An area of wood and grassland adjacent
to the River Pang. Species include White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary.
For more
details & site map: http://www.bbowt.org.uk/pages/reserves/leaflets/MoorCopse.pdf
G.
Seven Barrows (SU 329828)
A Wildlife Trust reserve 2½ miles north of Lambourn. An area
of chalk downland, including a number of prehistoric burial mounds.
Car park at SU 329827 off the unclassified road between Lambourn and
Kingston Lyle. Species include Chalkhill Blue, Small Blue, Marsh Fritillary.
H.
Wildmoor Heath (SU 842627)
A Wildlife Trust reserve 5 miles southwest of Bracknell. An area of
woodland, heath and bog. Car park at SU 838631 off Crowthorne Road.
Species include Silver-studded Blue, Grayling.
For more
details & site map: http://www.bbowt.org.uk/pages/reserves/leaflets/Wildmoor.pdf
Oxfordshire
A.
Ardley Quarry (SP 537273)
A Wildlife Trust reserve 4 miles northwest of Bicester. A cutting
and former quarry adjacent to the Marylebone to Birmingham railway
line. No car park. Park on the verge by the railway bridge at SP 534274
(Quarry Cottages Road, a no-through road off Somerton Road), from
where the railway cutting can be accessed. Species include Dingy Skipper,
Grizzled Skipper, Green Hairstreak.
B.
Asham Meads (SP 593140)
A Wildlife Trust reserve 5 miles south of Bicester and just west of
Whitecross Green Wood. An area of wet grassland with a small oak copse
and surrounding scrub. Car park at SP 590144 off track through Whitecross
Green and Manor Farms that leaves the unclassified road between Boarstall
and Murcott at SP 597152. Species include Black, Brown and Purple
Hairstreak.
For
more details & site map: http://www.bbowt.org.uk/pages/reserves/leaflets/AshamMeads.pdf
C.
Aston Rowant (SU 725970)
A National Nature Reserve owned by English Nature. Two areas of chalk
downland with some woodland on the edge of the Chilterns, one each
side of the M40 motorway cutting 2 miles west of Stokenchurch, Bucks.
Car park for Beacon Hill (north side) at SU 732966 and for Bald Hill
(south side) at SU 727958, both signposted off the unclassified road
to Christmas Common from the A40 west of Stokenchurch. Species include
Silver-spotted Skipper, Chalkhill Blue.
For
site map: www.english-nature.org.uk/about/teams/team_photo/AstonRowantNorthmap.pdf
D. Aston Upthorpe Downs (SU
544834)
A PRIVATE chalk downland site 3½ miles southeast of Didcot.
ACCESS ONLY ALONG PUBLIC BYWAYS & BRIDLEWAYS. No car park. Suggested
parking by the grain dryer at SU 550844 on unclassified road off the
A417 south of Aston Upthorpe village. Species include Dingy Skipper,
Grizzled Skipper, Small Blue, Green Hairstreak, Duke of Burgundy.
E. Chinnor Hill (SP
765005)
A Wildlife Trust reserve 1 mile southeast of Chinnor. An area of beech
woodland, scrub and chalk grassland on the edge of the Chilterns.
Car park at SP 766002 at the end of Hill Top Lane, a turning off the
unclassified road between Chinnor and Bledlow Ridge. Species include
Dark Green Fritillary.
For
more details & site map: http://www.bbowt.org.uk/pages/reserves/leaflets/ChinnorHill.pdf
F.
Foxholes (SP 253205)
A Wildlife Trust reserve 6 miles north of Burford, part of which is
leased from the Bruern Estate. An area of woodland and meadow adjacent
to the River Evenlode. Car park at SP 254206, accessed by track at
SP 260203 from the unclassified road between Milton-under-Wychwood
and Bruern. Species include White Admiral.
For
more details & site map: www.bbowt.org.uk/pages/reserves/leaflets/Foxholes.pdf
G.
Hartslock (SU 617795)
A Wildlife Trust reserve 1 mile southeast of Goring. An area of steep
chalk downland overlooking the River Thames. No car park. Park on
the verge at SU 616796 (junction of track that leads to the reserve
and unclassified no-through road that heads south-east from Goring
railway station). Species include Adonis Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Green
Hairstreak.
For
more details & site map: http://www.bbowt.org.uk/pages/reserves/leaflets/Hartslock.pdf
H.
Piddington Wood (SP 629164)
A Woodland Trust reserve 4 miles southeast of Bicester. An area of
mixed woodland with an adjacent meadow. No car park as such, but there
is a small lay-by on the B4011 at SP 631164 right beside the entrance.
Species include Black, Brown and Purple Hairstreak, Purple Emperor.
J.
Swyncombe Downs (SU 678916)
A PRIVATE chalk downland site 2 miles southwest of Watlington. ACCESS
ONLY ALONG PUBLIC BYWAYS & FOOTPATHS. No car park. Suggested parking
at SU 671919 on the Ridgeway (open to vehicles), accessed from the
unclassified road between Britwell Salome and Cookley Green at SU
681922. Species include Small Blue, Green Hairstreak, Dark Green Fritillary.
K.
Sydlings Copse (SP 557095)
A Wildlife Trust reserve 3½ miles northeast of Oxford. An area
of deciduous woodland with some heath. No car park. Access via bridleway
that leaves the B4027 at SP 563102, between Stanton St John and Islip.
Species include Brown Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Purple Emperor.
For
more details & site map: http://www.bbowt.org.uk/pages/reserves/leaflets/SydlingsCopse.pdf
L.
The Warburg (SU 720880)
A Wildlife Trust reserve 4 miles northwest of Henley-on-Thames. An
area of deciduous woodland in the Chilterns with some small areas
of chalk grassland. Car park at SU 721879 off unclassified road from
Bix Bottom. Species include Grizzled Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Purple
Hairstreak, Silver-washed Fritillary, Purple Emperor.
For
more details & site map: http://www.bbowt.org.uk/pages/reserves/leaflets/Warburg.pdf
M.
Wytham Woods (SP 460085)
A large PRIVATE woodland complex 3 miles northwest of central Oxford
owned by Oxford University. Free PERMIT REQUIRED IN ADVANCE from the
Conservator of Wytham Woods, valid for three years (go to www.wildcru.org/links/wytham/visitpermit.htm
for application form). Open 10am to dusk on weekdays and dawn to dusk
at weekends. Car parks at SP 486069 by Botley Lodge (close to the
A34/A420 junction) and at SP 469086 half a mile west of Wytham village.
Species include Black Hairstreak, Green Hairstreak, Dark Green Fritillary.
[Updated:
Jan 2006]
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