Wychwood National Nature Reserve

Recommended by

Overview

Wychwood NNR is one of the largest areas of ancient semi-natural oak and ash broadleaved woodland in Oxfordshire. The reserve is predominantly oak and ash high forest, with an occasional understorey of hawthorn, hazel, field maple, spindle, dogwood, crab apple and guelder rose. Ash is abundant, along with some veteran oaks and beeches, yew, horse chestnut, beech, Turkey oak, Norway maple, and sycamore. Very little coppiced woodland remains and there are some small areas of calcareous grassland, restricted to the steep valley sides. The Wychwood NNR is notable for its plant life, and springtime ground flora includes primrose, ramson and early purple orchid and less common plants such as herb Paris, adder’s tongue fern and autumn crocus. The reserve also contains some calcium-rich marl lakes, which are abundant in insect life such as dragon and damselflies, newts, frogs and toads. Large herds of fallow deer roam the woodlands, and roe and muntjac deer are also frequently spotted.

Location

Ramsden

About the area

Located at the heart of England, Oxfordshire enjoys a rich heritage and varied scenery, with Oxford’s elegant streets a highlight for visitors. The landscape encompasses open chalk downland, picturesque rivers and attractive villages, while northwest of Oxfordshire is home to the sleepy backwaters of Abingdon, Wallingford, Wantage, Watlington and Witney that reveal how Oxfordshire’s old towns evolved over the centuries.