Aldbury Nowers

Aldbury Nowers is a protected nature reserve in the Chiltern Hills featuring chalk grasslands, ancient beech woodlands, and meadows across two connected hillsides. The site spans about 49 acres and displays the typical diversity of chalk downland found in this area.

The site bears traces of human habitation from the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods, including two burial mounds still visible on the slopes. An Iron Age earthwork called Grim's Ditch runs through sections of the land, marking ancient territorial boundaries.

Local conservation groups actively manage the reserve to protect rare butterfly species and chalk-loving plants found nowhere else nearby. The slopes serve as a refuge for specialized insects and native wildflowers that have disappeared from much of the surrounding region.

The reserve is accessible year-round via a footpath from Northfield Road and connects to the Ridgeway walking trail for longer walks. Wear sturdy footwear as the slopes are steep and the ground becomes slippery after rain.

The reserve hosts around 34 butterfly species, including the rare Duke of Burgundy, making it one of the region's most important insect habitats. This remarkable diversity of butterflies reflects the health and quality of the grassland ecosystem found here.

GPS coordinates: 51.81160,-0.61889

Latest update: December 14, 2025 15:01