Marston Thrift, Woodland nature reserve in Cranfield, England
Marston Thrift is a woodland nature reserve covering around 37 hectares of ash and maple trees that grow on heavy clay soil in Bedfordshire. A network of footpaths winds through the site, connecting the reserve to the villages of Cranfield and Marston Moretaine.
The woodland has existed in Bedfordshire since being recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086, representing an ancient forest tradition. Traditional coppicing practices were applied over many generations, shaping how the trees grew and managed themselves.
The nature reserve functions as an educational resource for local communities, offering opportunities to observe and study native species of butterflies and birds.
You can reach the reserve by car using the designated car park at Wood End, where multiple footpaths begin their routes through the woodland. The terrain is relatively easy to walk and suitable for casual visits to observe the natural surroundings.
The site harbors populations of black hairstreak butterflies, which depend on very specific woodland conditions found here. This species is restricted to just a handful of locations across England, making this reserve particularly valuable for its survival.
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