Bowdown Wood, Berks

What’s there? Ancient woodland, colourful fungi, woodland birds, two short, circular Wildlife Walks and an audio trail - look for the QR codes on site. Head over the road to visit nearby Greenham and Crookham Commons too.

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

Foxcote Reservoir, Bucks

What’s there? Plenty of water birds including great crested grebes, tufted ducks and the potential for visiting birds including goldeneye, goosander, teal, shoveler and occasionally pintail.

Where is it? 2 miles north-east of Buckingham

What’s the access like? Gentle slope. Wheelchair access possible in dry weather.

Foxcote Reservoir

Foxholes, Oxon

What’s there? Ancient woodland, over 200 species of fungi recorded, 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

Hosehill Lake, Berks

What’s there? A lake surrounded by meadows, ponds and sheltered reedbeds with water birds including shoveler, wigeon and gadwall, and a short, circular Wildlife Walk.

Where is it? 1 mile south of Theale

What’s the access like? Mix of grass and surfaced paths, flat around northern part of lake, undulating to south. Narrow bridges. Lakeside paths muddy in winter. Bicycles and horse riding not permitted.

Hosehill Lake

Hog and Hollowhill Woods, Bucks

What’s there? Colours of autumn from the beech woodland mixed with other tree species, more than 150 species of fungi recorded, and a variety of woodland birds.

Where is it? 0.25 miles west of Marlow

What’s the access like? No easy access trails

Hog and Hollowhill Woods

Sydlings Copse, Oxon

What’s there? A range of habitats including broadleaved woodland, limestone grasslands, reedbed, fen, and a stream, a variety of woodland birds, and a short, circular Wildlife Walk.

Where is it? 3.5 miles north-east of Oxford

What’s the access like? Sloping; flat sections, steep slopes, soft patches; kissing gate, steps. Not suitable for pushchairs.

Sydlings Copse