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.
Management
The chalk grassland is grazed in Autumn and Winter by a small group of Dartmoor Ponies. This keeps the grassland short which encourages wildflowers and invertebrates to thrive. The ponies are removed from site in early Spring to allow the grassland species to flower and set seed. Encroaching scrub is also cut mechanically to prevent it dominating the grassland. The open meadow which runs along the chalk stream is divided into two halves, each being cut and gathered in alternate years to provide shelter over winter for invertebrates.
The management of the majority of the beech woodland is currently by minimal intervention. Woodland rides and glades are cut periodically to keep them open and to retain the grasses and flowers that in turn encourage butterflies and other invertebrates. A diverse structure of scrub along the lower margins of the woodland is also maintained by periodic coppicing. This ensures a transition between the woodland and the grassland which provides valuable nectar sources and shelter for invertebrates, and provides cover for birds and mammals.
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 Old Road and Church Road.
The nearest train stations are Luton (7 km to the south) and Hitchin (7 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 are well defined paths around the site including a circular trail. There are welcome boards with a map of the site at most entrances. Depending on the weather, some of the downland paths are suitable for wheelchair access.
Contact
For further information, please contact the Reserve Manager on 01844 351833
