Court Wood

A steep sloping wood almost split in two by a deep gully.

Location

Court Wood Nature Reserve

Bredwardine

Herefordshire

HR2 9LF

OS Map Reference

SO 328 448

Know before you go

Size

3 hectares

Parking information

Parking in the lay-by on the B4352, just to the north of Bredwardine village. Please take extra care while walking along the road for approximately 300m to the reserve.

Grazing animals

None

Walking trails

There are paths around the reserve that give access to all areas. These can be very muddy in spring and autumn so waterproof footwear is advised for most visits. Also take note that, in very wet periods, the steep access field can be very slippery and hazardous on the way down; beware of rapid and unexpected descents!

Access

This reserve does not have wheelchair access.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Dawn to dusk

Best time to visit

In Spring and Summer when Court Wood provides nesting site for several woodland birds

About the reserve

Court Wood is predominately oak and ash with hazel and bramble in the understorey. Honeysuckle is particularly abundant and the drier upper slopes have large drifts of typical ancient woodland indicators such as bluebell, sanicle, primrose and wood sorrel. The wood was thinned in 1999/2000 and 2020/2021 and these spring-flowering plants have thrived from the extra light now reaching the woodland floor.

A spring issuing from the head of the gully contains tufa deposits and is lime-enriched. The permanently damp slopes of the gully are ideal for ferns, including male fern, hard fern and common polypody.

The reserve provides nesting sites and shelter for various woodland birds, including buzzard, great spotted woodpecker and tree warblers.