The reserve lies on a steep slope but access around it is straight forward. Visitors are asked to close the gate when departing.

The reserve gains its unusual name from the 1843 Tithe map which shows several adjacent fields in the valley below called Pool Ellocks; the name is believed to mean 'pool of the herons'. When gifting the land to the Trust, Miss Rudd particularly asked that the reserve be known as Pool Ellocks to retain this old name in regular use, although there is no longer any pool as such nearby.

The site is on a steep, sheltered slope, facing south-east, and is underlain by Old Red Sandstone rock (Brownstone series). It had clearly been an orchard for some time, as there are some large old apple trees present. Also present were some large conifers which have since been removed. Near the northern boundary, laurel and Lonicera bushes occur, either planted or from seed carried by birds from neighbouring gardens. Several quite old Box trees along the south-east boundary may also have been introduced. The central area has been planted with a number of standard cider apples and perry pears of traditional varieties, as part of a plan to recreate a typical old-style Herefordshire orchard here. A picturesquely derelict stone barn, almost overwhelmed by Ivy and Wild Clematis, forms an attractive feature in the centre of the orchard. Apart from the fruit trees, thickets of Raspberries and Bramble provide nectar and pollen over a long period in summer for a variety of pollinating insects. Many Rabbits inhabit the site at the present time and their burrows are plentiful among the extensive Nettle beds.

Old, unsprayed orchards form a typical but vanishing Herefordshire habitat and current management is aimed at recreating such an orchard at Pool Ellocks. New fruit tree plantings include cider apples; Bergere, Black Norman, Early David, Hagloe Crab, Osier, Pomme Mettaise, Sainte Laurant, and perry pears; Bartestree Squash, Brinarl, Brookhill, Greggs Pit, Pack Horse, Rock Stainton Squash, Treegar (a planting plan can be obtained from the Trust Office).

Otherwise, apart from maintenance of the fruit trees, management is limited to annual clearing of nettle and bramble growth. Periodic cutting back of several old Goat willows to aims create a coppice rotation, maximising the amount of nectar and pollen available to pollinating insects. The Trust also aims to recreate some wildflower rich grassland in places.

A gift to the Trust in 1983 from Miss Rudd.

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