Wildlife Trust Reserves

Noar Hill Wildlife Reserve, near Selborne, Hampshire, is one of the most interesting chalk grassland and scrub sites in Britain, nationally renowned for its rare plants and butterflies.
Care should be taken on the steep slopes around Noar Hill, which can be wet and slippery. Livestock are present on the site and dogs should be kept under close control. Please leave all plants for others to enjoy.
Download a copy of the Noar Hill Wildlife Information Sheet and a copy of the latest newsletter.
Reserve map

Situated within the Lower Test Valley, Baddesley Common and Emer Bog comprise an area of 52.1 hectares. Emer Bog is an excellent example of a lowland valley mire. It has a rich flora and fauna dominated by bog species including reeds and sedges. Downstream, the bog gives way to a mature alder carr, whilst upstream, it moves into heathland with pine, birch and scrub.

Baddesley Common contains remnants of former common land. Today, it forms an acid grassland dominated by purple moor grass, cross-leaved heather and meadow thistle. Emer Bog is owned and managed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, while Baddesley Common is owned by Natural England and managed by the Wildlife Trust.

Click for map 

Find out more

Ancells Farm is an excellent example of a wet heathland/mire with many specialist plants and insects including sundews, bog asphodel, lousewort and the nationally rare small red damselfly.
Foxlease Meadows Wildlife Reserve is a network of grassland, fen and rush pasture meadows. There are many ditches criss-crossing the site providing great habitats for dragonflies and damselflies as well as amphibians.
Find out more
Reserve map 

This is the largest area of unimproved chalk downland on the central chalk ridge of the Isle of Wight. The steep south-facing slope contains an abundance of chalk grassland plants, which in turn support many butterflies. From the top of the Down there are excellent views to the south over the Eastern Yar Valley.
Find out more
Reserve map

The woods in this area of rotational land slip (the largest in Europe) have no formal access, but have unsurfaced permissive footpaths leading in from the roadside at approx SZ 528 763 and SZ 529 764. In the Sycamore / Ash woodland look out for red squirrels, dormice. The bare South facing, Greensand cliffs collect heat and warm the woodland creating its own Microclimate. The site can be overlooked from the cliff top coastal path, here there is a peregrine nest site and ravens can often be seen.
Reserve map 

Broughton Down is a chalk grassland wildlife reserve with a steep chalk ridge with fringing woodland. Its special features include an ancient droveway and round barrow. Parking is available at Broughton reservoir. Access information: sloping narrow paths, slippery when wet, several gates.
Reserve map

North Warnborough Greens are two flower-rich wet meadows fed by the beautiful chalk river Whitewater. The calcareous water makes these fens suitable for a number of rare wetland plants including Early and Southern Marsh orchids. The meadows are managed by annual grazing with ponies and cattle.
Bartley Heath is a wildlife-rich area of heathland, grassland and woodland. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) notable for its rare heathland plants and reptiles.
Reserve map

Blashford Lakes is a partnership project delivering the chance to experience the rich and varied wildlife of these former gravel pits. There are several lakes but also woodland, including ancient oaks+ along the course for the Dockens Water stream. Six hides offer the opportunity to see thousands of wildfowl in the winter, waders and other birds on passage and a range of breeding birds. The Woodland hide with a variety of feeders is busy with birds throughout the year.

More info

Catherington Down is jointly managed by Hampshire County Council, the Trust and Horndean Parish Council. The reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest 13 hectares in size on the southern edge of the South Downs, consisting of chalk grassland with archeological features of medieval origin. Catherington Down is filled with wildflowers and butterflies characteristic of the ancient downs and is an important fragment of this once widespread habitat. Notable wildflowers include the round-headed rampion, clustered bellflower and a range of orchid species; the site also hosts populations of charascteristic downland butterflies. Catherington Down is open to the public and the best time to visit is June when the wildflowers are at their best.
Reserve map 

More information

Habitat: Beechwood on chalk
Special Features: Several rare orchid species
Access: Main ride flat gradient but uneven under foot and slippery when wet.
Parking: Limited parking at southern end of reserve. Do not block track.
Reserve map

Habitat: Heathland and pinewood. Small area of Oak and birch.
Special features: A SSSI. Part of a formerly much larger Common, now bisected by the M27 motorway. Many WW2 slit trenches, the remains of a smallholding and cob cottage and old trackways, also a remnant of Copythorne’s original cricket pitch not destroyed by the motorway. Woodlark breed here.
Location: 1 ½ miles north east of Copythorne at SU 310154.
Access: A small amount of car parking in layby outside Copythorne School at SU 308148 then walk across A31 and motorway bridge to the Common. A footpath crosses the reserve, but you are free to walk off this. Buses to and from Southampton stop at Copythorne.
Dog policy: All dogs must be kept under strict control at all times and on leads near livestock.
Contact information: Reserves Officer Michael Boxall: 01590 622708 or mobile 07970 564525.
Reserve map 

Habitat: Broadleaved woodland and chalk grassland.
Access: Gently sloping part-surfaced bridleway passes through reserve. Park in Buriton (½ mile) and follow footpath. Two gates.
Reserve map 

The Semi Natural Ash and Oak woodland supports a good population of Red squirrels and Dormice, and the woodlands have a beautiful show of Bluebells in spring. Where Eaglehead meets Bloodstone Copse the woodland opens out into flower rich Chalk grassland, a remnant of what at one time would have been very common along the chalk ridge. The copse supports good populations of birds from Long tailed tits, Gold crest, Red Start, Long eared owl, Little owl, Barn owl and also Common Buzzard.
Reserve map

Farlington Marshes is an example of an extensive grazed, species rich upper saltmarsh and transitional communities. There are associated habitats such as poached areas, ditches, swamps and ponds that form an integral part of the whole site. Farlington Marshes forms an integral part of Langstone Harbour which has the status of S.S.S.I, S.P.A and RAMSAR.
Find out more
Reserve map 

Habitat types: Unimproved meadows and scrub.
Special features: A SSSI. Wild flower filled meadows with many insects and butterflies.
Location: North of the Bournemouth to Southampton railway at Ashurst, map ref SU 340113
Access information: Permit only as the access passes through the privately owned Fletchwood Copse. There is some parking beside nearby Fletchwood Road. Follow the main ride through the copse to west end of the reserve.
Dog policy: Dogs must be kept under strict control at all times and on a lead near livestock.
Contact information: For further information contact Reserves Officer Michael Boxall on (01590) 622708, mobile 07970 564525.
Reserve map 

This area of wet meadow and mixed woodland is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) and a popular green haven amid the surrounding urban encroachment.

Click for a map 

Find out more

Greywell Moors is a wet fen that borders the upper reaches of the River Whitewater. Water travels through the underground chalk aquifer and rises in the fen. This gives rise to a unique flora, with plants such as bog bean and marsh valerian. During the spring and summer you should hear the constant chatter of reed warblers. The fen is managed by cattle grazing and preventing trees and reeds shading out the rare flowers.
Reserve map

Habitat: Acid/Neutral grassland and woodland
Wildlife: Large colony of Green-winged Orchid. Black adders.
Access: Public footpaths cross the site, the rest of the reserve is by permit only.
Parking: Park in Headley Village at lay-by on Ashford Hill road, short walk to reserve from here across A339.
Public transport: Bus 32 and 32A stops outside reserve between Basingstoke and Newbury.
Reserve map 

This meadow is located just ½ mile from Bishop’s Waltham. There are gently sloping mown grass paths and two gates.
Reserve map 

A small former gravel pit viewable from the roadside. The open water and dense willow scrub attracts a range of birds at all time of the year.
Reserve map

This SSSI, designated for its unimproved acid pasture and associated flora is incredibly rich in invertebrate life and supports a large range of species. The site consists of a series of small unimproved lowland ‘meadows’ with adjoining scrub and broadleaved woodland. There is no public access onto the reserve; however a public footpath crosses the southernmost corner of the site.

Habitat: Coastal saltmarsh.
Special features: SSSI, part of Southampton Water SPA. Wildfowl and waders.
Location: A short distance south east of Hythe at SU 433072
Access: Car parking at Shore Road on the edge of the reserve. The reserve is tidal and access onto the mudflats is not recommended, to avoid disturbing birds and for your own safety.
Dog policy: Dogs should be kept on a lead and not be taken off the road.
Contact: Michael Boxall on (01590) 622708, mobile 07970 564525.
Reserve map 

One of the best bird watching spots in Hampshire.
The salt marshes that stretch along the New Forest coast from Hurst Castle to Pitts Deep are managed by the Trust on behalf of New Forest District Council and the Lymington Harbour Conservancy.
Reserve map 

A small woodland within the New Forest. The woodland is grazed in parts forming open glades and the Dockens Water stream adds to the range of habitats and wildife.
Reserve map

Habitats: Alder carr and flower rich glades.
Special features: A SSSI and within New Forest National Park.
Location: 2 ½ miles north west of Lyndhurst at SU 273097.
Access: There is limited car parking at Acres Down. The reserve is accessed by walking through a farmyard, which can be very muddy.
Dog policy: No Dogs are allowed.
Contact: Phone Reserves Officer Michael Boxall on (01590) 622708, mobile 07970 564525
 

The River Test flows through the Lower Test Marshes before passing into the sea through Southampton Water. The mixture of salt and freshwater and the natural progression from land to sea hosts a great range of habitats. This is reflected in the large number of birds and flowering plants which can be found here. Walking to the south west of the reserve you will find a hide and two viewing screens. Ideally located overlooking scrapes and reedbeds, they are a great way to get a closer look at the birds without disturbing them.

Find out more

Wildlife and landscape features

Habitats: Reedbeds, alder carr and river.
Special features: At 79 acres one of the largest reedbeds on the south coast. SSSI and part of the Solent SPA. The reeds are used by large numbers of swallows; reed and sedge warblers are summer residents; Cettis warblers nest some years; water rails are common but rarely seen; a pair of buzzards usually nest on the west side; sea trout migrate up the river to spawn.
Location: On the eastern edge of Lymington at SZ 325965
Access: A bridleway runs along part of the eastern boundary: there is no access within the reedbeds. A good view of the reserve can be had from Bridge Road. Parking for two or three cars is possible on Undershore Road (SZ 325970).
Contact: Phone Reserves Officer Michael Boxall on (01590) 622708, mobile 07970 564525
Reserve map

Habitat: Rich wet fen and neutral grassland
Special Features: Assemblage of rare fen plants including several orchid species. Grazed by cattle in summer.
Access: by permit only to Mapledurwell Fen. The Hatch is open access from Greywell Road through the new development where there are kissing gates onto the site.
Reserve map 

This site is a remnant of a much larger area of open heathland that once covered this NW part of the Island. It is a nationally important as it is the last natural British site for the rare Reddish Buff moth, so the site is designated as a SSSI. The heath is also a haven for the Small pearl bordered fritillary butterfly, the only population on the Isle of Wight, and White Admiral and Brimstone butterflies. The Neutral grassland is flower rich and the woodland and scrub around the site support red squirrels and dormice. Birds on site can include nightingale, nightjar, lesser white throat and common buzzard.
Reserve map 

Habitat: Chalk grassland
Special Features: An old chalk quarry still retaining old kilns and other remains or workings. Site for fly orchid and small blue butterfly.
Access: by permit only
Reserve map

Habitat: Ancient woodland
Special Features: A range of habitats from Oak/Birch woodland, heathland, wood pasture and rich stream valleys.
Access: Car parking at Impstone Road, Pamber Heath, where a self guided trail starts. Jazz2 from Basingstoke stops near western edge of reserve at Skates lane off A340.
Find out more
Reserve map

Habitat: An Island within Portsmouth Harbour composed of vegetated shingle and saltmarsh habitats. An integral part of Portsmouth Harbour which has the status of SSSI, SPA and RAMSAR.
Special Features: A roosting and breeding site for birds; it is one of the few undeveloped areas of Portsmouth Harbour providing a refuge for waders at high tide. Supports a wide variety of plants including Sea Lavender and Golden Samphire. The grassland communities also support good populations of common blue and meadow brown butterflies.
Access: The Island is not accessible due to its small size and the risk of disturbance to birds. It is best viewed from Porchester or Fort Nelson.

Habitat: Hay meadow
Access: from The Green, Tadley
Public transport: Jazz2 from Basingstoke stops on A340 a short walk from reserve.
Reserve map 

Habitat: Ancient woodland, conifers, heath, ponds, meadows and a stretch of the Lymington River.
Special features: Wide variety of plants, insects, mammals and birds, historic landscape features.
Access: Four and a half miles of public bridleways and permissive paths give access to most parts. The rights of way are mostly gravelled tracks, but the permissive paths are unsurfaced and can be muddy and slippery in wet weather.
Find out more
Reserve map

Habitat: chalk grassland.
Special features: Site of Iron Age hill fort and buried ruins of Norman chapel. Itchen Navigation runs along the western boundary.
Access: Steep ascent to hill top with 100+ steps. Bridleway along valley bottom more gently sloping. Parking off Garnier Road Winchester. Winchester city centre 1 mile.
Find out more
Reserve map

This site is partially designated as SSSI for a rare arable weed, field cow wheat which is restricted to four UK sites. The rest of the site is an arable field that is sown with a low input crop to provide winter stubble for farmland birds such as yellowhammer, kestrel and partridge, raven and peregrine. The crop is also sown to encourage uncommon arable weeds to recolonise including the field cow wheat.
Reserve map

Habitat: Broadleaved wood with hazel coppice.
Access: Flat gradient but uneven under foot. Narrow barrier at entrance. Limited parking along track beside entrance.
Reserve map 

Habitat: A wet grassland area traversed by ditches with shallow pools.
Special Features: Southmoor is a SSSI. It forms an integral part of Langstone Harbour which has the status of SSSI, SPA and RAMSAR.
Wildlife: butterflies including meadow brown and small skipper; breeding skylarks; birds including blackcap, lesser whitethroat and greater spotted woodpecker; flora includies southern marsh orchid and ragged robin divided sedge, parsley water-dropwort, corky-fruited water-dropwort and slender hare’s ear.
Management: The sight is grazed from spring through to autumn by rare breed cattle.
Access: This site has open access all year round, however parts of the site do get exceptionally wet over the winter months. Footpaths can be followed across the north side of the reserve from Southmoor Lane and along the sea wall.
Reserve map

This small woodland is bounded on two sides by the steam railway and the main electric line, then by pasture and a new woodland plantation on the third. Access is via a permissive route across our neighbours land. There is a coppice regime to improve the quality and quantity of Hazel nuts which support a good population of Red squirrels and Dormice but also helps the flowering plants to flourish.
Reserve map

Swanwick is an almost entirely man-made landscape, now owned and funded by National Air Traffic Services (NATS). It is managed for wildlife, visitors and education by the Wildlife Trust, with a full-time Education Officer on site. The deep flooded clay pits support a wide variety of plants and animals. Woodland has grown up on the spoil heaps and wildflowers abound in the meadows, which are grazed.
Reserve map

More info

Habitat: Lakes, Meadows & Woodlands
Special Features: Education Centre, 2 x bird hides, 2 x viewing screens, 1 x Bronze Age roundhouse reconstruction.
Access: All paths around the site are surfaced and paths and gateways are accessible for wheelchair or pushchairs (RADAR key available from the Centre). Parking is available 7 days a week between 8am-4pm in winter 8am-8pm in summer.
Reserve map 

More info

Habitat: Ancient woodland with neutral grassland.
Special features: Grassland grazed in summer by cattle.
Access: from Early Lands off Little London Road, Silchester. Bus 44A from Basingstoke stops outside reserve.
Reserve map

Weavers Down Bog is an excellent mixture of wet heathland and mire and is part of the much larger Woolmer Forest landscape. It is home to many rare species which can only be found on mires including bog asphodel, sundews, sphagnum species and wild cranberry.
Reserve map

Whitehouse Meadow is an excellent example of a wet acidic grassland and is now all that remains of a once much larger habitat which covered the area.
Reserve map

Habitat: Tall fen and wet pasture alongside the River Itchen
Special Features: Relict hatches and field patterns of former water meadows
Access: Surfaced circular path around the southern section, access north of this limited to supervised groups. ½ mile from Winchester city centre.
Find out more
Reserve map 

Hook Common is a wildlife-rich area of heathland, grassland and woodland. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) notable for its rare heathland plants, butterflies, fungi and reptiles.
View a trails map detailing self-guided walks around Hook including Hook Common.