Castor Hanglands National Nature Reserve

The 89-hectare reserve contains four distinct environments: ancient woodland, limestone grassland, wetland areas, and dense scrub sections with numerous ponds.

The woodland appears in the Domesday Book of 1087, while the western boundary follows King Street, an ancient Roman road connecting Castor to Bourne.

The reserve land influenced the works of John Clare, who documented the local plants and wildlife in his nature poetry during the 1800s.

Visitors can access the reserve through limited roadside parking 3 kilometers north of Ailsworth village, followed by a 500-meter walk to the entrance.

The site supports rare plant species including crested cow-wheat, lesser water-plantain, man orchid, and narrow-leaved water dropwort in its varied habitats.

Location: Cambridgeshire

GPS coordinates: 52.60020,-0.34695

Latest update: March 6, 2025 04:10