Chinnor Hill, Oxon

With magnificent views over the Vale of Aylesbury, Chinnor Hill is a patchwork of flowery grassland, scrub and woodland, steeped in ancient history. The reserve is a great place to watch red kites soaring in the sky, as well as kestrels hovering above the slopes looking for prey.

Chinnor Hill falls steeply to the Icknield Way, part of the ancient Ridgeway. Made up of prehistoric pathways that follow the chalk 'spine' of England, the Ridgeway is thought to be Britain's oldest road. Why not explore the nature reserve as part of a longer walk through the area?

Access: Sloping; steep and stony in places, muddy in places; kissing gates, gates. Rest benches.

Wheelchair and mobility vehicle users can gain access to top of reserve with a RADAR key

Chinnor Hill

Cholsey Marsh, Oxon

A tranquil riverside marsh with great crested grebe, warblers and a colony of the nationally rare Desmoulin's whorl snail.

The Thames provides much of the reserve's wildlife interest. Kingfishers hunt across the water, and in summer, many dragonflies and damselflies emerge. Species of interest include the club-tailed dragonfly and the white-legged damselfly. The Thames Path runs through the nature reserve making it ideal to visit as part of a longer riverside walk.

Access: Flat overall, soft after rain; kissing gates, gates

Cholsey Marsh

College Lake, Bucks

College Lake is widely regarded as one of the best places in Buckinghamshire for water birds, and with many hides overlooking the lake, this is a great destination for bird watchers or for families throughout the year.

The nature reserve includes a visitor centre with a cafe. During the school holidays there are trails and events for all the family. 

Access: Gentle slopes, 90% surfaced paths, gates, benches. Please note: some of our paths are uneven.

Some wheelchair access, including hides; two mobility Tramper vehicles are avaliable to use - contact us on 01442 826774 or collegelake@bbowt.org.uk to book.

College Lake

Loddon Nature Reserve, Berks

This large, flooded gravel pit has several islands and a ragged, scrubby fringe that skirts around the shallows. The shallows of the lake are perfect feeding areas for wetland birds, while its islands provide quiet spots where common terns and oystercatchers can breed safely away from predators such as foxes. 

The plant life around the lake attracts a range of butterflies, dragonflies and other aquatic insects. On summer evenings, bats will take advantage of the rich pickings as they hunt over the lake.  

Access: Flat; partly flooded in winter with muddy, short slopes; gate, boardwalk

Watts Bank, Berks

This small reserve on a steep southwest slope is part of a larger wildlife site named after the adjacent track from Lambourn, the White Shute Byway. Fragments of wildflower-rich chalk grassland, like Watts Bank, have usually survived because they are situated on a hill or earthworks which are unsuitable for ploughing.

This grassland hillside is a natural sun trap, sheltered from wind by patches of scrub at each corner. It is very attractive to butterflies, with an impressive 32 species recorded, including chalkhill blue, green hairstreak, brown argus and dingy skipper.

Access: Steep slope; rough, sloping ground, no paths; stile, gate

Whitecross Green Wood, Bucks

A dynamic yet fragile woodland habitat renowned for its beautiful butterflies and wild flowers along the wide, grassy rides.

In summer, butterflies are abundant. Look out for the marbled white and common blue. The magnificent purple emperor may be spotted basking on the bare earth before vanishing up into the oak tree canopy. Look out for the silver-washed fritillary and white admiral too. BBOWT's careful management of the blackthorn bushes is helping to strengthen the survival of rare black and brown hairstreaks.

Please stick to the mown rides when visiting the reserve to help protect the flowers growing along the woodland edges.

Access: Mainly flat, sloping at southern end, flat rides bumpy paths, some roots, bench

Whitecross Green Wood