10 of England’s best National Trust reserves
DUNKERY AND HORNER WOOD, SOMERSET PADLEY GORGE
The delightful Padley Gorge in Derbyshire, part of the Longshaw Estate, is a steep-sided valley containing the largest area of Sessile Oak woodland in the South Pennines. Spring and summer is the optimum time to visit for breeding Wood Warbler, Ring Ouzel, Spotted and Pied Flycatchers, Redstart, Whinchat, Stonechat, Wheatear, Tree Pipit and common woodland species.
BREAN DOWN, SOMERSET
The beautiful Brean Down is an extension of the Mendips’ hard limestone, featuring calcareous grassland, scrub and steep cliffs. Peregrine and Raven are found all year, while, in summer, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat and Stonechat breed. Passage features divers, shearwaters, Gannet, waders, gulls, skuas and passerines, while Shelduck, Curlew and Dunlin winter on the mudflats. Butterflies include Chalkhill Blue and Marbled White, while three rare plants – White Rockrose, Somerset Hair Grass and Dwarf Sedge – are also found.
The almost 4,000-acre Dunkery and Horner Wood National Nature Reserve in Somerset consists of ancient oak woodland and moorland, making up a third of the Holnicote Estate in Exmoor National Park. Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, woodpeckers, Dipper and Grey Wagtail are found all year, while spring and summer brings Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Whinchat, Stonechat and Tree Pipit. Dartford Warbler is possible, too. Holnicote Estate holds 15 of Britain’s bat species, as well as Silver-washed and Heath Fritillaries, not to mention plenty of Red Deer.
LUNDY, DEVON
Off the Devon coast, in the Bristol Channel, lies Lundy. Three-and-a-half miles long and a mile wide, the island is owned by the National Trust, but managed by the Landmark Trust. With farmland in the south, moorland in the north and a Marine Protection area, it records a remarkable 140 species of bird annually, on average. Seabird colonies include 5,500 pairs of Manx Shearwater and 400 pairs of Puffin – both recovering after rat eradication. Other breeders include Storm Petrel (possibly breeds, occasionally offshore), Fulmar, Gannet (offshore), Shag, Kittiwake, Guillemot and Razorbill. Spring and autumn sees regular common migrants pass through, with always a chance of scarce or rare species, and sometimes, large ‘ falls’. Lundy Cabbage and Lundy Cabbage Flea Beetle are endemic.
NARE HEAD, CORNWALL
The headland and open sea of Nare Head in Cornwall throngs in spring and summer with Fulmar, Shag, Sandwich, Common and Arctic Terns, Guillemot, Razorbill and, occasionally, Chough. Migrants create interest on passage and, in winter, Velvet and Common Scoters are found offshore, as well as wintering divers and grebes.
FARNE ISLANDS, NORTHUMBERLAND
Off the Northumbrian coast, the Farne Islands consist of 15 to 28 maritime islands, depending on the tide. Spring and summer features around 23 breeding species, including 100,000 pairs of seabirds, such as Eider, Shag, Kittiwake, Sandwich, Common and Arctic Terns, Guillemot, Razorbill and Puffin, with shearwaters and skuas offshore. Rarities often turn up, but are usually difficult to see as a visitor. A large Grey Seal colony breeds between late October and early December. From saints to shipwrecks, the Farne Islands have a long and diverse history. However, in March 2021, the National Trust proposed that trips to the Farne Islands be arranged via its website, rather than with local boat companies that have been doing so for years. Said operators say the change and a new limit on visitor numbers would affect their livelihoods, while the National Trust said it was aware of concerns and discussions were ongoing. The number of people landing on Inner Farne has long been limited due to the risk to its wildlife. However, boat owners are concerned day trippers may be deterred from visiting the islands if people are only able to book in advance. They also say it will only be possible to book a trip one week in advance and group bookings won’t be allowed. This move has proved extremely unpopular with birders and local boat companies alike.
MALHAM TARN, NORTH YORKSHIRE
Malham Tarn in North Yorkshire holds upland pasture, woodland, limestone outcrops and the highest lake in England. Wildfowl (including Great Crested Grebe), regular gull species, Barn Owl and Peregrine are found year round. Spring and summer witnesses breeding Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, warblers, Redstart and Twite, while winter features wildfowl (including Pochard, Goldeneye and Goosander), Water Rail, Woodcock, winter thrushes, Lesser Redpoll and Siskin. Occasional visitors include Osprey (on passage) and harriers, as well as Whooper Swan and Short-eared Owl in winter.
HARDCASTLE CRAGS, WEST YORKS
Hardcastle Crags in West Yorkshire is 400 acres of unspoilt wooded valleys, ravines, streams, hay meadows and moorland edge. Sparrowhawk, Barn, Tawny and Little Owls, Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, Kestrel, Jay, Dipper, Grey Wagtail and other woodland species are found all year. Crimsworth Down holds Goshawk. Spring and summer brings breeding Cuckoo, Wood Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Spotted and Pied Flycatchers and Redstart. Other interest is created by Hairy Wood Ant, Tree Bumblebee, Moss Carder Bee, Killarney and Brittle Bladder Ferns, eight species of bat and Roe Deer.
WICKEN FEN, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve in Cambridgeshire is Britain’s oldest nature reserve, as well as an internationally important wetland, including open fen meadows, sedge fields, grazing marsh, partially flooded wet grassland, reedbed, scrub and woodland. Spring features passage waders and passerines, while, in summer, Marsh Harrier, waders, Hobby and warblers breed. Winter is perhaps of greatest interest with wildfowl, Bittern, Marsh and Hen Harriers (roost on Sedge Fen), Black-tailed Godwit, Barn and Short-eared Owls and Cetti’s Warbler on the reserve. Wicken Fen has recorded a staggering 9,000 species in total, including 21 species of dragonfly, 27 species of butterfly and 1,200 species of moth, plus Water Vole and Otter.
FRENSHAM COMMON, SURREY
Frensham Common and Ponds in Surrey, jointly managed with Waverley Borough Council, consists of almost 1,000 acres of dry and humid heath, woodland, two large ponds and reedbeds. Summer is the best season to visit, with breeding Common Tern, Nightjar, Hobby, Wood Lark, Sedge, Reed and Dartford Warblers, Spotted Flycatcher, Stonechat and Reed Bunting. Winter is also of interest with wildfowl, including the occasional Smew, as well as Bittern and Great Grey Shrike. Other wildlife includes Purple Hairstreak, Silver-studded Blue, Sand Lizard and Smooth Snake.