Nower Wood

There is restricted access to this reserve. Please phone the Education Department before visiting on 01372 379509.

The predominant habitat at Nower Wood is ancient oak woodland which may date back as far as the Domesday Book.  In addition to the oak woodland and a few scattered Scots pine, the reserve has been managed to create and/or maintain hazel coppice, a small area of chalk grassland, a small heathland glade, butterfly ride and ponds. Managed in the past for game and timber combined with the more recent conservation management, has resulted in a mosaic of habitats, making it ideal as one of the Trust’s three educational reserves.

Important trees are oak and sweet chestnut interspersed with birch. Coppiced hazel is present and the north-east boundary is a thick double hedge rhododendron avenue. The ponds are all artificial and now used for pond dipping.

A number of birds species can be seen, including sparrow hawk, stock dove, woodcock, woodpecker (two species) and wood warbler. There is also an assortment of tits as well as tree creepers and nuthatches. Adders are occasionally seen, whilst roe deer, badgers and foxes have all been recorded.

Nower Wood is a Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI), which lies on a geological outcrop with strata of different rocks and soils. The outcrop is capped clay with flints, the upper chalk is exposed in sinkholes on the north side and lies just below the surface of the car park.

Management is aimed at maximising the reserve's educational value for children and adults whilst keeping disturbance to the wildlife at a minimum.

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Do you have fond memories of Nower Wood? Did you visit as a child and come away inspired by the experience? If so we'd love to hear your story.