Bernwood Meadows, Bucks

Green-winged orchids flourish in their thousands at Bernwood Meadows, dotted between the cowslips. These orchids are now uncommon due to the widespread drainage of wet meadows but thanks to our careful management we're able to enjoy a spectacular display here each spring.

The long strips of 'ridge-and-furrow' pattern in these meadows are remnants of traditional farming and supports a variety of species. Look for meadow buttercups on the drier ridges; and damp-loving rushes and cuckooflower in the wetter furrows. 

Bernwood Meadows

Bowdown Woods, Berks

Bluebells have been early this year but it's still worth paying a visit to this woodland reserve. The last of the bluebells are mixed with other woodland flowers like greater stitchwort, yellow archangel and early-purple orchids.

There are three areas to explore here, each with their own short, circular Wildlife Walk to follow, and an audio trail with seven stops where you can learn more about the history, wildlife and management of this nature reserve. Look for the QR codes and information on site, or find out more here.

Join us to discover the incredible range of moths that live in the woods at our Moths of Bowdown Woods event on Sunday 22 May.

Bowdown Woods

Bowdown Woods audio trail

Chimney Meadows, Oxon

Chimney Meadows is the Trust's largest freehold nature reserve and the only one to span the River Thames. It used to be a working arable farm but fields once planted with wheat and barley are now colourful, species-rich wildflower meadows. This type of habitat is important for its remarkable diversity of plant-life and as a home to nationally declining wading birds such as curlew, which breed here.

Look across the river at the area known as Duxford Old River from the new raised bird hide. It gives great views over this extension to the reserve, which is part of our wetland restoration project.

The Thames Path National Trail runs through Chimney Meadows making it an ideal site to visit as part of a longer walk.

Chimney Meadows

Virtual tour of Chimney Meadows

College Lake, Bucks

College Lake is one of the best sites for water birds in Buckinghamshire. It's a great example of how nature can reclaim a site as this was once a working quarry. Now you can sit in one of the many bird hides overlooking the water and watch the comings and goings of the bird life.

Look out for lapwing nesting, and returning summer visitors like martins and swallows. You can have a look at what's happening before you visit with our webcam that overlooks the water.

Once you've finished exploring the site, there's a cafe and visitor centre to round off your visit.

College Lake

College Lake webcam

Hosehill Lake, Berks

A one-mile circular Wildlife Walk runs around the edge of this lake, which was once a gravel pit. It's now home to a range of birds from water birds like great crested grebes to warblers that love the scrubby areas around the edges. Listen out for the beautiful song of the nightingale, one of the special birds that lives at this nature reserve.

There's also an area of wildflower meadows that attracts a good range of butterflies, and Dragonfly Pond on the western margin of the lake.

Hosehill Lake

Warburg Nature Reserve, Oxon

Nestled away in the Chilterns, not far from Henley-on-Thames, Warburg Nature Reserve is the perfect place to escape and explore. There's a mix of chalk grassland and woodland and through the year it's home to many different types of wild orchid. The early-purple orchids are flowering now, along with bluebells and other woodland flowers.

Out on the chalk grassland colourful wild flowers are starting to bloom, attracting a wide range of butterflies and insects, while red kites and buzzards fly high overhead.

Warburg Nature Reserve

Get a taste of the reserve before you visit with our virtual tour from the warden, Kelly.