Penny Hill Bank

Penny Hill Bank by Paul Lane

Penny Hill Bank by Paul Lane

Penny Hill Bank

A remnant of limestone grassland which is great for flowers, butterflies and other insects.

Location

Martley
Worcester
Worcestershire
WR6 6QN
A static map of Penny Hill Bank

Know before you go

Size
1 hectare
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Parking information

Parking limited to roadside below
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Grazing animals

Sheep
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Walking trails

There is a public footpath running outside the boundary of the reserve but access into the meadow itself is by arrangement only.

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Access

Steep slope, no paths. 

Dogs

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When to visit

Opening times

Access to the meadow is by permit only.

Best time to visit

May to July

About the reserve

 The lime-rich soil at Penny Hill Bank is thin and stony but this sheltered grassland is rich with flowers.  About 180 species  have been recorded here including bee, pyramidal and greater butterfly orchids, twayblade, dyer’s greenweed, autumn felwort, ploughman’s spikenard rock-rose, and red bartsia.  Several mosses that are uncommon in Worcestershire are found on the site.

This rich flora is excellent for insects from grasshoppers to butterflies.  Visitors should look out for wood white, brown argus, green hairstreak and dingy skipper butterflies.  A large number of moths has been recorded including burnets and lead belle moth.  Common footman caterpillars have been seen feeding on lichens. The reserve is rich in snails – a favourite of glow-worm larvae, which can be found here.

Contact us

Dominique Cragg
Contact number: 01905 754919

Location map