Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve
This site is one of Natural England's special sites. It is signalled on its website (Aston Rowant) as a “Spotlight Reserve” because it is one of the sites offering the best opportunity for visitors to enjoy the wildlife experience. You may well have seen part of it without realizing, while travelling on the M40.
Because of its location on the famous Chilterns scarp, this site has some very steep slopes. We usually recommend boots (not Wellington boots), plus an extra layer of clothing as wind speeds often take visitors by surprise.
Riverside Meadow, Castle Meadow and Mowbray Fields Nature Reserve
These sites are all owned by South Oxfordshire District Council. The Council’s website, (SODC and follow links to Countryside), contains information about them and their management plans. You can read there why we are doing the things we do.
Parts of Mowbray Fields double up as a soakaway for the nearby housing estate. While the public footpaths remain open for business year-round (partly due to the efforts of Wallingford Green Gym), we usually recommend Wellington boots for this site.
Hill Farm, Wittenham
Owned and managed by the Northmoor Trust. On a clear day, this site has good views across open countryside; it is part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
As with Aston Rowant, sturdy boots are recommended here as there are many steep slopes.
Ewelme Watercress Beds
The Ewelme Watercress Beds have been partially restored as an example of our agricultural heritage. The watercress still flourishes thanks to natural gravel beds and a clear Chilterns chalk stream. The rest of the site is now maintained as a small nature reserve.
Wear Wellington Boots!
Millbrook Mead, Benson
A very small nature reserve tucked away between the A4074 and the River Thames.
St. Leonard's Churchyard, Wallingford
The graveyard of the ancient parish church of St. Leonard's, Wallingford. Maintained by a group of volunteers as a small nature reserve in the heart of the old town.
Bertie West Field, Benson
A small public open space in the village of Benson.
Wallingford School
A state secondary school, with whom we are developing a community partnership.
Rock Edge Quarry Headington
This has been identified as one of the county's sites of special geoconservation interest: a unique habitat for wildlife as well as of interest to rock-hounds. WGG is a partner with the Oxfordshire Geology Trust in a 3-year heritage-lottery-funded conservation project.
Boundary Brook Nature Park, East Oxford
In Oxford, off the Iffley Road. It is looked after by OUWG - Oxford Urban Wildlife Group.
Duffields Common Wood, near Checkendon
This is privately owned woodland with public footpaths running through it. It includes a conservation area, which requires more active management.