Parsonage Down NNR
Parsonage Down NNR is a working farm owned and managed by Natural England.
County: Wiltshire
Main habitats: Lowland Grassland
Area: 276 Ha
Site map: Nature on the Map
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Parts of the site are grazed by longhorn cattle.
Please note that, for health and safety reasons, access to the farm is limited. For details please email Natural England's Wiltshire office, or telephone 01380 726344.
The site is notable for its abundant wildflowers with over 150 species being recorded, including salad burnet, dropwort, devil's-bit scabious and knapweed. Orchids are also abundant with burnt tip, green-winged, frog, fragrant and pyramidal all being recorded on the site.
Anthills cover the old downland. Green woodpeckers feed on the anthills and they are the favoured site for plants such as thyme and rockrose.
The site also contains areas of scrub and these support birds such as yellowhammer and turtle dove, with lapwing and grey and red-legged partridge breeding on the downland.
As well as its wildlife interest the site includes two scheduled monuments and several other archaeological features.
The best time to visit the reserve is during the summer, for wildflowers and livestock.
Location and access
The reserve is 12 km north west of Salisbury and 1 km north west of the village of Winterbourne Stoke.
The access gate is on the old Drove road, at SU033415, and can be reached by walking from Shrewton. If travelling by car, parking can be found at Yarnbury Castle (SU041401), off the A303, and the access gate is a pleasant walk of about half a mile from here.
Please note that there is no access to the reserve from the farm office at Cherry Lodge. The access gate is 1½ miles from the farm.
The nearest train station is in Salisbury served by South West Trains.
Bus services from Salisbury to Winterbourne Stoke and along the B3083 are provided by the Wilts and Dorset Bus Company.
Facilities
There are toilets at the farm office, including one for the disabled. The nearest refreshment facilities are in local villages.
Download a leaflet: (252kb)
about the reserve.
