Bowdown Woods, Berks

What’s there? Ancient woodland, woodland birds, two short, circular Wildlife Walks and an audio trail - look for the QR codes on site. 

Where is it? 2.5 miles south-east of Newbury

What’s the access like? Variable, the reserve is made up of three areas: 

• Baynes: steep slopes, uneven underfoot, long flight of steps and a boardwalk.
• Bomb Site: flat and surfaced, accessible for robust mobility scooters and robust wheelchairs.
• Bowdown: gentle slopes, soft after rain.

Bowdown Woods

Chinnor Hill, Oxon

What's there? Magnificent views over the Vale of Aylesbury, circular Wildlife Walk, the Icknield Way, part of the ancient Ridgeway, runs through the reserve making it ideal to visit as part of a longer walk.

Where is it? 1 mile east of Chinnor

What's the access like? 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

College Lake, Bucks

What's there? Wetland birds, various trails for all abilities, bird hides overlooking the water and woodland, visitor centre and cafe.

Where is it? 1.5 miles northeast of Tring

What's the access like? 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

Join us for a 'Birdwatching for beginners' session at College Lake on Saturday 10 January.

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Foxholes, Oxon

What’s there? Ancient woodland, circular Wildlife Walk, and a variety of woodland birds including treecreeper and nuthatch.

Where is it? 4 miles north of Burford

What’s the access like? Tracks leading to the reserve can get extremely muddy when wet making access challenging. Gently sloping; mainly grassy, soft when wet, some roots, gaps (0.5m wide), kissing gate. Off-road pushchair recommended.

Foxholes

Padworth Common, Berks

What's there? A tranquil haven for wildlife with heathland, woodland, ponds and alder-lined gullies. The common is nestled on the upper plateau of the Kennet Valley and can form part of a walk down to the River Kennet and back past a Norman church, Padworth College and the Kennet and Avon Canal. 

Where is it? 8 miles southwest of Reading

What's the access like? Paths on north common remain relatively dry throughout the year whereas those on south common are seasonally wet but more level. Terrain is largely flat.

Padworth Common

Upper Ray Meadows, Bucks

What's there? Flocks of overwintering wildfowl on the flooded meadows at Gallows Bridge Farm visible from the bird hides.

Where is it? 4 miles southeast of Bicester

What's the access like? Flat; uneven ground, floods in winter; soft after rain; gates. Gallows Bridge Farm bird hides are accessible with a robust wheelchair.

Upper Ray Meadows