Jim Asher
Chawridge Bank
Location
OS Map Reference
SP 892 739
Know before you go
Entry fee
NoParking information
On A330, 1 mile west of Maiden's Green take Nuptown Lane to sharp right-hand bend, after 25m Hogoak Lane byway is signed. Please park at the end of the byway, making sure you don't block it to farm traffic. Follow byway north for 200m to reserve entrance.Grazing animals
YesWalking trails
Gentle slope; soft ground after rain, uneven with ant hills, gates and steps to bridge
Access
Uneven with ant hills, gates and steps to bridge.
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
Open at all timesBest time to visit
March to AugustAbout the reserve
An ancient meadow
Chawridge Bank is a small area of old Berkshire grassland. It lies on the west-facing clay slopes of the Chawridge Bourne valley. Adder's-tongue and pepper-saxifrage are just two of the species found here which show it is ancient, unploughed ground.
Rich plant life
Bluebells flower along the northern boundary, and an old boundary hedge has pollarded oaks and some beautiful field maples. Other trees and shrubs include ash, hawthorn and blackthorn. In 2011, the Trust expanded the reserve. The plant life on the extension is particularly interesting with a 'lawn' of devil's-bit scabious and tufts of dyer's greenweed growing on the anthills.
Wealth of insects
The nature reserve has a wealth of insects - a study of dung life uncovered 24 beetle species alone. Look out for the large anthills in the grassland. They take many years to develop and show that the site has not been cultivated. Butterflies include the marbled white and grizzled skipper. Skylarks, green and great spotted woodpeckers, blackcap and lesser whitethroat are among the bird life found here.