Visitor Guidelines
Access to the various parts of the reserve is straightforward, but in autumn and winter the woodland areas stay wet and muddy, so strong shoes/boots are advised. Take care when walking near the pond as there are several large deep holes which can be hidden by rank vegetation in the summer months and form a trap for the unwary!
The car
park and entrance track have been recently
resurfaced. A short section of surfaced path
has been
installed linking the car park to a hide
and seating
area with views over the reserve
towards Marcle Ridge.
Description
In 1842 most of the reserve area was known as the "Far Slades" (slades meaning a marshy valley) and comprised a mosaic of small arable and pasture fields. The present wooded part of the reserve was called "Brake in Far Slades", indicating a thicket rather than true woodland. In the 1920's the whole area was scrub-covered and bright with masses of Wild Daffodils. During WWII the whole area, apart from the thicket woodland, was ploughed to grow wheat, following which it was eventually re-seeded to form the present pasture.
By 1972 when the reserve was gifted to the Trust, it comprised 4 acres of arable land, 13.5 acres of pasture and 9 acres of neglected and heavily grazed woodland and scrub. Since then, the arable land has been planted with native broad-leaved trees in 1991 and intensive grazing continued over the remainder of the site, including the woodland areas. Following a management review in 1998, it was decided to convert much of the species-poor and improved pasture into new native woodland. The woodland type Ash/Field Maple/Dogs Mercury was chosen as most appropriate, based on existing trees and shrubs present and the calcareous nature of the soils, derived from the underlying Woolhope Limestone. The Woodland Grant Scheme provided the funds for the new planting. These works were successfully completed in 1999 and also included construction of a new stone track to provide easier access to the glade and also the Bond Copse, which contains planted Small-leaved Limes and a number of memorial trees.
The site contains a number of important features: derelict woodland containing some very large ancient Hazel trees and a good mix of typical understorey shrubs like Spindle, Blackthorn and Sweet Briar, a few ancient perry pear trees at the top of the glade, dead Elm trees, together with some regenerating Elm, patches of Wild Daffodils and areas of semi-improved pasture flanking the glade valley. This pasture is somewhat impoverished due to its chequered history but contains a number of interesting plants, including Dwarf Thistle, Adder's Tongue, and Autumn Ladies Tresses, as well as a varied selection of typical meadow butterflies. A brook running down the glade has been confined in the past into large drainage pipes, now broken and partly blocked in places.
Present Management
Overall, management
is aimed at improving the biodiversity of the
woodland and pasture areas. Growth of regenerating
Elm and expansion of the Wild Daffodil patches
will be particularly encouraged. A coppice cycle
will be introduced in the old thicket woodland,
but the massive Hazels, which are a special feature,
will be retained uncoppiced and allowed to grow
on into specimen standards. The mowing regime
in place for the glade and ride areas, together
with grazing, will help to keep coarser grasses
and rank weed species in check, and allow the
potential diversity of the pasture flora to develop
from the natural seed banks present in the soil.
Acquisition Details
Freehold donated
to the Trust in 1972 by Mrs. Betty Evans (nee
Bond) to be maintained as a permanent nature
reserve.
General Information
Best
time to visit |
Early spring to late summer. | |
Habitat |
Secondary woodland, newly planted woodland, improved and semi-improved pasture. | |
Size |
27 acres (11 ha.). | |
Specialites |
Fallow deer, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Autumn Lady's-tresses (8-9), Adder's Tongue Fern (5-8), Wild Daffodil (3-4), Dwarf Thistle (6-9), Marbled White butterfly (6-8). | |
Parking |
There is parking for 2-3 cars in the old quarry. | |
OS
map |
Explorer 189 | |
Nearby
Reserves |
Common Hill, Lea and Pagets Wood, Nupend Wood, Pentaloe Glen and Convallaria Area, and Rudge End Quarry |
Downloads
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