Natural England - Barton Hills NNR
Barton Hills NNR
Barton Hills NNR is an example of chalk grassland typical of the northern Chilterns. The site also includes areas of Chilterns beech woodland and ash-maple woodland.
County: Bedfordshire
Main habitats: Lowland Grassland
Area: 44 Ha
Site map: Nature on the Map.
The reserve has a large population of the rare pasque flower and several other rare plants are present in the downland, including greater pignut and fleawort. There is also a range of characteristic chalk grassland plants such as wild thyme, horseshoe vetch, marjoram and rockrose, and a good show of orchids in summer.
Butterflies are a feature of the site with large numbers of chalkhill blue, marbled white and grizzled skipper.
An interesting feature is the occurrence of springs and a chalk stream at the foot of the valley.
The best time to visit the reserve is between April and August, with the pasque flower in bloom between April and early June.
Location and access
Barton Hills is immediately south of the B655 between the town of Barton-le-Clay (0.5 km west of the reserve) and the village of Hexton (one km to the east).
Access to the site is via paths from the B655. In Barton-le-Clay paths leading to the reserve can be found at the end of two roads: Old Road and Church Road, both off the B655.
The nearest train stations are in Luton (seven km to the south) and Hitchin (seven km to the east).
Bus services to Barton-le-Clay from Luton are provided by Stagecoach along the A6(T).
The reserve is on the route of the John Bunyan Trail, a walk that connects with the Icknield Way Path.
Facilities
The nearest toilet and refreshment facilities are in local towns and villages.
There is seating at the site and well defined paths including a circular trail. Leaflets, panels and signs are available for visitor information.
Depending on the weather, some of the downland paths are suitable for wheelchair access.