Helen Walsh
Finemere Wood
Please note: from 7 January 2019 - 30 November 2019, two footpaths into the reserve will be closed. See the 'Access' section of this page for more info.
Location
near Quainton
Buckinghamshire
HP22 4DE
OS Map Reference
SP 721 215
Know before you go
Entry fee
NoParking information
2 miles east of Edgcott on unclassified rd towards Quainton, 100m east of pylons crossing rd there is track on left. Park on hard verge, walk down track to reserve.Grazing animals
YesWalking trails
1.5 mile Wildlife Walk through reserve plus other permissive paths.
Access
Flat, muddy when when wet, some stumps and roots; 5 short bridges; benches throughout reserve.
Please note: two footpaths at Finemere Wood will be closed from 7 January 2019 to 30 November 2019 to allow National Grid to carry out works for HS2.
Download a map showing the closed footpaths
If you have any queries about the work, please contact National Grid's Community Relations team. They're available 7am - 7pm Monday to Friday on 08000731047 or info@nationalgridhs2.com
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
Open at all timesBest time to visit
All year roundAbout the reserve
Woodland flowers
Throughout the year, Finemere Wood has the thrilling atmosphere of a very old, wild place. Spring is particularly special when the rides are edged with primroses, and bluebells carpet the woodland floor. If you look closely, you can find wood spurge, wood anemone, early-purple orchid or greater butterfly-orchid. In the sunnier coppiced areas, lesser celandine and dog's mercury appear early, and in the summer, hairy St. John's-wort and willowherb take advantage of the clearings. An impressive 200 species of flowers have been recorded here.
Historic meadow
At the heart of the wood you will find a sheltered haven of rough pasture and thickets. Traditional grazing has encouraged the return of plants such as ragged-robin and cuckooflower in the spring and saw-wort, betony and devil's-bit scabious in the summer. In the autumn, the low sun highlights the seed heads of grasses like wood small-reed and tufted hair-grass. A good variety of bees buzz around the meadows throughout the summer. Butterflies abound This nature reserve is one of the best places to spot the magnificent purple emperor. Head for the main ride in July and August. Its smaller cousin, the white admiral, thrives here as well, particularly around trailing honeysuckle leaves. A warm summer may bring an influx of silver-washed fritillaries that hunt out patches of violets for their caterpillars to feed on.
Regal history
Finemere was once used by kings and queens for hunting wild boar. Along with Rushbeds Wood and Whitecross Green nature reserves, also in Buckinghamshire, it was a part of the ancient Royal Forest of Bernwood. BBOWT is currently reviving this ancient landscape in a three-year conservation project.
Things to do
Try our circular Wildlife Walk (1.5 miles). Just follow the badger waymarkers. Look out for our seasonal guided walks.
Your Finemere Wood photographs
Share your photographs of Finemere Wood with us! Just add them to our BBOWT flickr group, and tag them with 'finemerewood'.