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JOIN US FOR THE ANNUAL COWSLIP COUNT NEXT SUNDAY 28TH APRIL AT 10am

 

We will be counting the cowslips in all areas of the chalk bank which includes slopes and wooded areas so wear appropriate clothing, gloves and boots/shoes

WELCOME TO HOLTSPUR BANK LOCAL NATURE RESERVE

The Reserve is in Holtspur, west of Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire and is owned and managed by Beaconsfield Town Council.  It has an area of approximately eight hectares, split roughly into four hectares of chalk grassland and four of woodland (known as Cut-throat Wood).   

This website is managed by the Friends of Holtspur Bank (FOHB), a group of local people, the committee of which meet regularly to decide what conservation work is required in the Reserve and to organise guided walks around the Reserve.  The Friends also maintain records of all the flora and fauna found on the Reserve. 

This website will hopefully give you all the information you need about the Reserve, but please contact us using one of the links below if you have any questions or want to become a member of the FOHB.

ENJOY YOUR VISIT!

Reserve Location

The reserve is situated to the west side of Holtspur Top Lane Beaconsfield and can be reached by going down the footpath B33 opposite Cherry Tree Road or by going along Riding Lane to the five barred gate on the left just before the right hand bend - see adjacent map.  If you are driving, we recommend that you park in Cherry Tree Road and access the Reserve via footpath B33 as there is no parking at the Riding Lane entrance. 

Holtspur Bank is an area of chalk grassland and ancient woodland which was designated as a Local Nature Reserve in 1995.

The Reserve is owned by Beaconsfield Town Council, as is the other side of the valley which is leased to, and managed by, Butterfly Conservation. It can be accessed at all times, though it is best if people keep to the paths and keep dogs under control.

We are very fortunate to have such a beautiful area on our doorstep as so much of this sort of countryside has been lost in the last fifty years. The Reserve lies on the north eastern slope of the Beaconsfield gravel plateau and consists of chalk grassland at the eastern end and woodland to the west. The two habitats are separated by an ancient woodland boundary bank.

In the woodland, called ‘Cut Throat Wood’, the trees at the top of the slope on the gravelly soil are mainly oak with honeysuckle and bramble beneath. Old coppiced hazels and whitebeam grow on the chalk lower slopes and many interesting members of the orchid family can be found among the trees during the spring and summer. 

You can download a copy of the Nature Reserve leaflet here

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Mayflower Way, Beaconsfield, 

HP9 1UF   


If you do come and enjoy a walk around our Reserve, you might like some refreshments afterwards, so why not visit one of the two excellent cafés close by (see inset map above for locations).

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1 Holtspur Parade, 

Holtspur Top Lane, 

Beaconsfield, HP9 1DN 

If you want further information about the Nature Reserve, please email us your query here .  We normally respond to emails within one week.

The Nature reserve is managed by the Town council with support from our group 'The Friends of Holtspur Bank (LNR)' (Local Nature Reserve).

The Friends of Holtspur Bank

The Friends Group carry out conservation work such as path and scrub clearance, hazel coppicing, and raise funds for various projects on the reserve. They also organise walks during the Spring, Summer and Autumn, which are lead by qualified guides. The Friends produce a regular newsletter giving details of their activities and future events, the latest of which can be seen here.  The Council hire contractors for necessary major work.

This local group consists of people of all ages who have a strong interest in conservation. Membership costs just £5 per year for the whole household. If you feel you cannot volunteer for work parties, don't be put off from joining as many of our members support us by their subscription alone and, for various reasons, don't get involved in any of the work on the Reserve.

To join, either email Pauline Knapp our Membership Secretary or call her on 07956 277674 and request an application form.  If you email Pauline, she will normally respond within a week.

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FRIENDS EVENTS ON THE RESERVE

Please check the Events page on this website for details of upcoming work parties and guided walks