Woodchester Park
Woodchester Park contins a chain of five lakes that thread through this 18th and 19th-century landscape park. The historic landscape is partially hidden under conifer and mixed woodlands that were planted in the mid 20th century.
The valley's slopes and side combes are densely wooded down to the lakes. The upper valley slopes consist of deciduous woodland (beech, ash and hazel) with the remainder of the woodlands being conifers and mixed plantation, both planted and naturally regenerated.
The only significant area of open space within the valley is the attractive sweep of permanent pasture adjoining the Mansion.
Wildlife highlights:
Bats - Woodchester is best known for its bats, especially the Greater horseshoe bats (that roost in the mansion). There are also Lesser horseshoe, Pipistrelle, Daubenton's and long-eared brown bats found in the valley.
Birds - Buzzards, owls and woodpeckers breed in the woodland and the lakes are home to coots, moorhens, mallard and mandarin ducks.
Badgers - With 12 main setts excavated in the sandy soils of the wooded valley, Woodchester has one of the largest concentrations of badger setts in Britain.
Deer - Roe deer and the smaller Muntjac deer can be regularly seen, especially on the wooded upper slopes. At dusk, when the valley is quiet, the deer move down to the pasture to graze.
Location: Off the B4066 Stroud-Dursley road.
These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.
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