Hampshire Wildlife Trust Reserve: The Warren
The Warren An unusual and varied woodland clothing the slopes of a deep chalk combe.Map Ref: SU 730 284; Landranger 197; Explorer 133.
Wildlife: The Warren is one of a series of 'hangers' on the north-east facing Wealden edge. On the steepest slopes little grows in the gloomy shade of the yew trees, but under beech many interesting species such as bird's-nest orchid and narrow-leaved helleborine are found along with spurge-sorrel. In spring, before the beech canopy reduces the amount of light reaching the ground, early purple orchids and an abundance of bluebells carpet the ground.
On the deeper soils of the valley bottom a more open canopy of ash and hazel allows a richer growth of woodland plants including herb paris, Italian lords and ladies and an abundance of ramsons with its pungent smell of garlic.
The Warren supports large populations of badger and roe deer and many molluscs including the rare snail mountain bullen. Woodland birds are plentiful and the glades attract butterflies such as the speckled wood.
The reserve is owned by Hampshire County Council and is managed jointly with Hampshire Wildlife Trust. The woodland glades are kept open by coppicing the woodland. Access: The Warren is open at all times.
Access: Access is best obtained by the rough track from the Hawkley to Priors Dean road at SU 737 287 or at the north-west corner of the reserve. Please keep to the footpaths.
Parking: Parking is very restricted with only a small lay-by 50 metres north of Warren Corner at SU 727 282
Directions: The Warren is three miles north of Petersfield, near the village of Hawkley. From Steep, take the road to Tisted. After about two miles turn right to Warren Corner.
This document maintained by Gerry
Milner-Walker
Material Copyright © 2002 Hampshire Wildlife Trust and Gerry Milner-Walker