Aston Clinton Ragpits — Attraction in Aston Clinton

This is NR is best visited in June when the mass of orchids are in bloom. I like to make regular visits during the year so as to catch it during the different seasons. Tucked away on the edge of Wendover Woods between Aylesbury and Tring, Aston Clinton Ragpits is a remarkable nature reserve. Just three hectares in size and boasting eight species of orchid and over 25 different types of butterfly, this reserve offers a real treat to visitors in spring and summer. The site was once an old chalk pit, worked for its coveted chalk freestone or 'rag' which was used for local building. The reserve has been looked after by BBOWT for over 20 years and due to meticulous management a huge variety of wild flowers, shrubs, butterflies and other animals have colonised the site. Towards the end of June you can enjoy a spectacular display of orchids which includes greater butterfly-orchid, pyramidal orchid and thousands of fragrant orchids with their deep pink, clove-scented flowers. The chalk ground provides perfect conditions for this profusion of orchids and other wild flowers. As well as the orchids, look out for cowslip, bright blue chalk milkwort, mauve autumn gentian and yellow...

I try to visit at least once per year , usually mid June or a touch later. Lovely little reserve with a limited amount of parking by the roadside. There is a narrow stretch of woodland to pass through ( & walk along ) before entering the very hummocky grassland ; this caused by past chalk excavations & the resultant spoil heaps. A further section of the site sloping down to a fringe of woodland shielding the busy Upper Icknield Way is not uneven , just sloped. The site hosts 8 different Orchid species & 25 different Butterflies - quite remarkably rich for such a small area. Added to this you can see many common chalkland plants such as knapweeds & rattle & a few specimens of the uncommon wild Mezereon. There are a couple of benches , one in a particularly choice spot under a tree high up , offering...

A beautiful place but not at all wheelchair friendly or for those unsteady on their feet! Nor suitable for children under about 7. Not much parking. NONE of the above is criticism: it is as it should be to preserve all these rare flora and fauna. We were fortunate to see slowworms and a roman snail as well as the orchids and other...