One of our favourite local places to walk is Warburg nature reserve, which is managed by BBOWT (Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust). The reserve is in the Chilterns, and encompasses a mixture of native woodland and chalk grassland.
We recently took advantage of a lull in the rain, and spent an afternoon exploring the reserve. It was a lovely sunny day so our visit started with a picnic. Fortunately, Warburg has a dedicated area with picnic benches right next to the car park which was rather convenient.
There are several footpaths through the reserve; we chose to take the waymarked wildlife walk. This is a mile long trail starting from the visitor centre, which takes you on both sides of the valley. It’s popular with families; there are only a couple of easy uphill sections although the track was incredibly muddy!
The wildlife walk covers two different habitats. At the start you’re walking through beech woodland, with plenty of ferns, mosses and lichen to explore. My daughter found this moss covered tree which she decided looks like an elephant with a long trunk.
The second half of the walk is along open chalk grassland with views over the surrounding reserve. One of the great things about Warburg is that there’s plenty to see whatever the time of year, from orchids in early summer, butterflies in mid-summer through to fungi in autumn. There are almost always red kites circling overhead too.
Back at the car park I popped into the bird hide next to the visitor centre. The hide overlooks a small pond and had plenty of feeders to attract the birds. It’s right next to the entrance road but there were still loads of garden birds to spot. A lovely way to finish up the afternoon!
More info:
- The reserve is 4 miles north-west of Henley-on-Thames. It can be tricky to find so download the map in advance from the BBOWT website. The road leading to the reserve is single track and rough in places so watch out for the potholes.
- The nature reserve is free to enter, but there are donation boxes in the car park.
- There are toilets, a picnic area and small (usually unmanned) visitor centre.
Looks like a lovely fun, beautiful place to visit. I can’t wait for all this rain to pass so we can go on some nature walks again.
Thanks for Linking #LetKidsBeKids
Thanks Karen, I think everyone is waiting for this rain to stop!
That looks like a beautiful place to take kids on a long nature ramble. Just the sort of nature reserve I personally love. #letkidsbekids
Thanks Kriss, it is a lovely reserve and always has something good to see.
That looks a fab place to visit!!
Thanks Kim, yes it was.
This looks like a gorgeous place, and how wonderful that you had a rain-free window in which to explore it!
Thanks Nell. We’ve had loads of rain but have been quite lucky with as Sundays always seems to be dry and sunny!
What a bright and dry day you had for your visit! A lovely place to visit with plenty to explore and see for the whole family. Thanks for linking up and sharing your family fun with Country Kids.
Thanks Fiona. Looking at the pictures on my recent posts you’d think it hadn’t rained at all this year!
That looks like a really lovely walk, right up our street actually 🙂 Glad you had a break in the weather to enjoy it! #CountryKids
Hi Sara, yes it’s a good walk to do as it’s quite short but varied. Having said that we always end up doing this one so really should try a different footpath next time.
Ooo this is quite near to me, we shall have to go and investigate! #CountryKids
Thanks Alexandra. It’s a well hidden reserve so definitely take a map with you the first time!
That moss pic is amazing! It sounds like a really lovely place to spend the day! 🙂
Thanks Emma, I made a mental note to bring my ‘proper’ camera next time so I could take some good close up pictures.
What a beautiful place – I think your daughter is right, that moss tree does look like an elephant. Thank you for sharing with PoCoLo x
Hi Vicky, she was very taken with the moss elephant and demanded a photo of her with it!