Aston Rowant NNR sits on the steep west-facing scarp of the Chilterns. It comprises flower-rich chalk grassland together with beech woodland and juniper scrub.
A number of scarce plants can be seen at the reserve, including Chiltern gentian and a wide variety of orchids. The site is also home to many species of butterfly such as the silver-spotted skipper and chalkhill blue.
The reserve's diverse habitats support a variety of bird life and Aston Rowant is renowned as one of the best places in England to see red kites.
The summer months are the best time to visit for butterflies and flowers.
Location
Aston Rowant is 15 km north west of High Wycombe and 22 km south east of Oxford. The reserve straddles the M40 between junctions 5 and 6. By car, access to the reserve is via minor roads from the A40. Sign-posted car parks can be accessed via the minor road from Kingston Blount to Christmas Common.
The nearest train stations are Saunderton (5 km to the north east) and High Wycombe, both served by Chiltern Railways.
From High Wycombe there are regular bus services to the town of Stockenchurch
(2 km south east of the reserve). Red Rose Travel provides a bus service from Oxford to High Wycombe that passes through Stockenchurch and Aston Rowant village.
Four trails pass near the reserve: the Icknield Way Path, the Oxfordshire Way, the Chiltern Way, and the Ridgeway National Trail.
The reserve is also crossed by the Regional Route 40 Oxfordshire Cycleway, part of the Sustrans National Cycle Network.
Accommodation
The nearest caravan/camp site is near Watlington, 5 km to the south west of the reserve. For details of hotels and hostelries in the area click here.
Facilities
The nearest toilet and refreshment facilities are in local towns and villages. There is a picnic area in Cowleaze wood in the southern part of the reserve.
Information leaflets are available on site or from the Natural England Berkshire office. For more details email the team, or telephone the site manager on 01844 351833.
There are a number of waymarked trails through the reserve. One of them is suitable for wheelchair access.
What to see
Aston Rowant NNR is a remnant of the chalk grassland that used to be widespread on the southern Chilterns. The area also encompasses juniper scrub and beech woodland.
Grassland: a long history of sheep and rabbit grazing combined with nutrient-poor soil has led to the development of a rich wildflower flora. Plants found in the short turf include Chiltern gentian, dwarf thistle, dropwort, clustered bellflower and the rare clustered bellflower. The grassland is also home to frog, bee, pyramidal and fragrant orchids, A range of invertebrates is found here including many national rarities. Butterflies include the dark green and Duke of Burgundy fritillary, chalkhill blue, brown argus and silver-spotted skipper.
Juniper scrub: many rare insects are associated with juniper and the reserve is managed to encourage juniper growth. The scrub is also an important habitat for birds including wheatear, wood warbler, whitethroats, blackcap and hawfinch. Red kite are seen frequently at the reserve.
Beech woodland: bluebell carpets can be seen here in spring and rare plants found include violet helleborine and wood barley. The woods are also home to chiffchaff, treecreeper, brambling, tawny owl and nuthatch.
Environmental Education pack
The site staff at Aston Rowant NNR have produced an information pack aimed at educational groups visiting the reserve. The pack is available for free in an A4 binder (with a CD included) to any schools who book visits. It is aimed at Junior classes and schools booking visits can choose activities from the pack to lead themselves on the reserve, or have site staff lead the visits for them. The pack also contains classroom activities for before and after a visit.
To book a schools visit contact the Community Liaison Officer on tel: 01844 351833, or email: jenny.crook@naturalengland.org.uk