Chaddesley Woods National Nature Reserve

Chaddesley Woods by Wendy Carter

Chaddesley Woods by Wendy Carter

Chaddesley Woods National Nature Reserve

The second largest woodland area in Worcestershire, dating back to at least the 13th century.

Location

1 1/2 miles north of Woodcote Green
Bromsgrove
Worcestershire
DY10 4NX
A static map of Chaddesley Woods National Nature Reserve

Know before you go

Size
101 hectares
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Parking information

Roadside parking in laybys near entrance. Please note that there is no vehicle access to the wood and that the only parking is in the laybys near the entrance.
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Grazing animals

Cattle in meadows
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Walking trails

The Chaddesley Chase circular route passes through Chaddesley Wood.

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Access

Extensive network of paths & rides mainly on western side of reserve. The main track is stoned otherwise all other routes are on earth paths and are unsuitable for wheelchairs/buggies.  There is no access to Black Meadow.

Dogs

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When to visit

Opening times

Dawn to dusk.

Best time to visit

All year round

About the reserve

Chaddesley Woods were probably mentioned in the Domesday Book as the ‘wood of two leagues’ and we think that parts of the site have been wooded since the Ice Age 6-10,000 years ago.  The presence of ancient woodland indicator species support this – flowers such as yellow archangel, herb paris and dog’s mercury as well as trees like small-leaved lime and wild service trees.

Visitors to the eastern half of the nature reserve will find themselves in ancient woodland that is predominantly mature oak with hazel coppice.  The understorey also contains holly, rowan and other berry-bearing shrubs that are popular with winter thrushes such as fieldfares.  Midland hawthorn thrives here – a rare shrub that is identified by the two seeds in its berries as opposed to the normal one.  Open glades are important for invertebrates and encourage shrubby growth, which provides nesting cover for birds.  Some old and dead oaks are retained for hole-nesting birds, fungi and invertebrates.  At the right time of year the wood is full of birdsong and lucky visitors may catch a glimpse of the elusive woodcock.

There are also two areas of meadow, although these are only accessible on special open days.  Hockley Meadow and Black Meadow are old pastures with wildflowers such as knapweed, dyer’s greenweed, pepper saxifrage and adder’s-tongue fern.  The meadows are grazed to maintain their floral interest.

The western half of the reserve is a largely planted woodland of broad-leaved species and extensive areas of conifer.  The conifers wouldn’t normally grow here and we’re gradually clearing these and replacing them with native hardwoods that are more suitable to the local geology and attract summer migrants like chiffchaff and blackcap.  Crossbills sometimes breed in the conifer plantations – their unusual beak structure of crossed tips allows them to feed on the seeds. 

A Worcestershire speciality, land caddis, occurs at Chaddesley Woods.  A national rarity, this is the only one of almost two hundred species of caddis fly that spends its entire life-cycle on land.  It burrows in leaf litter and adults only live for a couple of weeks in autumn.    

Contact us

Thomas Watkins
Contact number: 01905 754919

Location map

Chaddesley Woods map

Chaddesley Woods map

Nuthatch by John Caswell

Nuthatch by John Caswell

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