About the reserve

The heath is typified by wavy hair grass, red and sheep’s fescue grasses and sweet vernal grass, with characteristic summer flowers such as heath bedstraw and sheep’s sorrel. In damper areas, the locally rare heath rush and southern marsh orchid can be found. The ponds support all three native newts, including the locally-rare palmate newt, plus plants such as creeping jenny and lesser spearwort.

Seasonal Highlights
Spring: Grass snake, harebell, heath bedstraw, heath rush, sheep’s sorrel.
Summer: Dragonflies, kestrel, smooth, palmate and great crested newt..
Autumn/ Winter: Common lizard, small copper, red kite.

Directions

Site entrance: Open common

Access by road: From Bishop’s Stortford follow A120 to Little Hadham, turn right onto Albury Road. After 2 miles turn right at The Catherine Wheel pub. The reserve is signposted at the next right-hand turn.

Access by public transport
Bus: 20,27,28 – Gravesend Farm (0.1 miles).
Rail: Bishop’s Stortford (5.6 miles).