Lower Woods is a very large reserve
with 23 woods and coppices separated by ancient grassy
trenches and tracks. Its boundaries that have remained
unchanged for several centuries.
What
to look out for
The woods arise in the damp clay
soils of the Vale of Berkeley and are made up of many
distinct woodlands as well as grassland areas. The
rich woodland flora includes carpets of bluebells in
spring, with early purple and greater butterfly orchids
and herb paris. In summer look for old meadow species
including ragged-robin, common-spotted orchids, betony
and devils-bit scabious and butterflies like white
admiral and silver washed fritillary.
The best places for birds are around the edges of
the woods, especially in scrub or in the recently coppiced
areas around the Lodge – listen out for song thrushes,
willow warblers, blackcaps and even nightingales.
Lower Woods Nature Reserve is in South Gloucestershire, between Wickwar and Hawkesbury Upton. Most visitors park at Lower Woods Lodge, accessed down a stone track opposite Inglestone Farm Holiday Cottages off from the Wickwar to Hawkesbury Upton road. However, there is also rougher road access to the Southern Woods via Vinney Lane or Wood Lane, Horton. More detailed directions can be found on the downloadable leaflet.
Further
information
Reserves in this area
Look for...
Maps
Reserve map
National Cycle Network
Location details
Grid ref
ST 743 876
Area
284 hectares
Nearest postcode to reserve
GL9 1BY
(0.5 km from grid reference)
Ways into wildlife
Lower Woods is one of our
Top 10 nature reserves!
Download a
detailed walk for this reserve here (PDF).
