Wildmoor Heath

Wildmoor Heath is a precious survival of rare heathland habitat and home to a rich, but fragile, community of fungi, insects, reptiles, birds, mosses and flowering plants.

Location

Crowthorne Road
Crowthorne
Berkshire
RG45 7PW

OS Map Reference

SU 838 630

what3words: invent.pints.intervals
A static map of Wildmoor Heath

Know before you go

Size
91 hectares
z

Entry fee

No
P

Parking information

Surfaced car park

Grazing animals

Yes

Walking trails

Circular Wildlife Walk (1.5 miles) - follow the badger waymarkers

Access

Variable, mainly firm, gently sloping, sandy paths, some boggy peat, some rough underfoot, can be very muddy in winter; gates, stiles, boardwalks

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

All year round

About the reserve

Unusual variety

Unlike many other flat heaths, Wildmoor Heath is situated on a slope and offers visitors a wonderful range of habitats and views, from wet and dry lowland heath and valley bog, to mature pine and broadleaved woodland. Wildmoor's varied habitats attract a range of birds, including endangered ground-nesting birds. The open heath with its scattered cover of scrub provides ideal conditions for the Dartford warbler, stonechat and occasionally tree pipit or woodlark. The 'churring' call of the well-camouflaged nightjar can be heard at night.

A separate part of the reserve called Broadmoor Bottom can be accessed from Magdalene Road off the A3095. This area contains heathland, mire and woodland and is crossed by a number of paths.

Amazing plants

The valley bogs, fed by small springs from the higher ground, contain wet, peaty areas with a carpet of no less than nine species of bog-mosses, scattered with locally scarce plants such as bog asphodel, butterwort and white beaked-sedge. Look out for the round-leaved sundew, which feeds on small insects trapped by the sticky hairs on its leaves. This unusual plant can live for up to 50 years!

Dragons and damsels

Wildmoor Heath is a fantastic place to look for dragonflies and damselflies. More than 20 species have been recorded here. You can enjoy these beautiful insects from boardwalks that cross some parts of the bog.

Looking after Wildmoor Heath

Wildmoor Heath is a heathland reserve and as such is vulnerable to fire. It is prohibited to have naked flames on site. If you think there is a risk of fire or you witness any suspicious activity, please report this to the emergency services as soon as possible.

Reserve champions - supporting their favourite reserve

Colin Wilson: "Enjoy this place, there is so much nature to explore."

Things to do

  • Try our circular Wildlife Walk (1.5 miles).  Just follow the badger waymarkers.
  • Explore the reserve and surrounding area on our Sandhurst Wild Walk. Starting in Sandhurst, this 9km circular walk takes in Wildmoor Heath nature reserve and part of Crowthorne Wood. OS Explorer Map 160, 1:25,000 scale, covers the route of this walk.
  • Look out for seasonal guided walks. 

Contact us

Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
Contact number: 01628 829574
Contact email: info@bbowt.org.uk

Environmental designation

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
Volunteers hedgelaying
Get involved

Volunteer with us

Our volunteers help us in so many ways - by working on nature reserves, helping at visitor centres, leading walks, training others and much, much more. Without our volunteers we would not be able to carry out much of our work.

For more information about volunteering for BBOWT, please get in touch with volunteering@bbowt.org.uk