Asham Meads, Oxon

These lovely expanses of Oxfordshire grasslands, near Otmoor, harbour rare mixes of national and local botanical gems. Asham Meads - probably named after the lost Otmoor village of Nash - is made up of three damp meadows (Upper Marsh - no public access, Lower Marsh and Rowbottom), an oak plantation which dates from the 1930s, a pond, hedges and scrub.

The meadows were once ploughed into ridges and furrows giving distinctive strips of colour from the different plants that prefer the wetter and drier areas. The flowers and hedgerows attract a host of butterflies including marbled white and black and brown hairstreak.

Make sure you visit in the first half of the month before the annual hay cut.

Access: Ridge and furrow, uneven underfoot and soft when wet; kissing gates. No access to Upper Marsh. Check the 'getting there' information on the reserve's webpage carefully to help you find the small car park. 

Asham Meads

Chinnor Hill, Oxon

With magnificent views over the Vale of Aylesbury, Chinnor Hill is a patchwork of flowery grassland, scrub and woodland, steeped in ancient history. The chalk grassland here contains an amazing variety of flowers including several species of orchids. 

Chinnor Hill is also a great place to watch red kites soaring in the sky, as well as kestrels hovering above the slopes looking for prey, or just somewhere to sit and take in the view.

Access: Sloping; steep and stony in places, muddy in places; kissing gates, gates. Rest benches. Wheelchair and mobility vehicle users can gain access to top of reserve with a RADAR key.

Chinnor Hill

Dancersend, Bucks

Dancersend is a tranquil nature reserve with a rich variety of habitats to explore, from shady woodland to stunning chalk grassland filled with wild flowers. In the largest area of chalk grassland, careful management over the years has enabled orchids to grow alongside the delicate Chiltern gentian and rare meadow clary. 

In spring and summer, look out for a range of butterflies such as dingy and grizzled skippers, chalkhill blue, silver-washed fritillary, marbled white and meadow brown.

Discover the history and wildlife of Dancersend on our guided walk on Saturday 13 July led by warden Mick Jones. Book via the button below.

Discover the History and Wildlife of Dancersend

Access: Variable, gentle slopes, bumpy in places; gates; benches. Visitor permit required for 'Water Works' part of reserve. Please contact us on 01865 775476,

Dancersend

Hosehill Lake, Berks

This beautiful lake is surrounded by meadows, ponds and sheltered reedbeds. Look out for all sorts of birds from lapwings and common tern to nightingales and reed buntings. 

The meadow and the Butterfly Bank to the south of the lake are the best places to see a range of butterflies, day-flying moths and other insects.

Access: Mix of grass and surfaced paths, flat around northern part of lake, undulating to south. Narrow bridges. Lakeside paths muddy in winter. Bicycles and horse riding not permitted.

Hosehill Lake

Rushbeds Wood, Bucks

Discover a wealth of wild flowers and butterflies in the meadows and ancient woodland at Rushbeds Wood, including the rare black hairstreak. Be careful not to trample the wild flowers while photographing the butterflies though! Please stay on the paths.

During July look out for the fast-flying purple hairstreak butterflies high up in the tree tops. Look out too for purple emperors, silver-washed fritillaries and white admirals flitting around the woodland glades.

Access: Paths flat, soft after rain, some roots; kissing gates, bench

Rushbeds Wood

Seven Barrows, Berks

Nationally important for its archaeology as well as its wildlife, this ancient and atmospheric site has a wonderful variety of chalk grassland flowers and butterflies. 

More than 150 plant species have been recorded on this old chalk grassland including horseshoe vetch, chalk milkwort, chalk fragrant-orchid, the delicate blue harebell and the purple-blue clustered bellflower.

Its notable butterfly list includes the chalkhill blue, small blue, brown argus, marbled white and small heath.

Access: Flat; firm, uneven in places

Seven Barrows