Greywell Moors Nature Reserve

River at Greywell Moors

© Jonathan Oakley

Greywell Moors Nature Reserve

Greywell Moors is an exquisite combination of spring-fed fen, alkaline fen and carr fen woodland. It is a nationally important fenland, renowned for its varied range of nationally scarce plant species including orchids, ferns, mosses and liverworts. A recent insect survey found the site to be one of the most diverse in the country.

Location

Greywell Village
Hook
Hampshire
RG29 1BS (to the Fox and Goose pub near the reserve)

OS Map Reference

SU 720 510
A static map of Greywell Moors Nature Reserve

Know before you go

Size
13 hectares
z

Entry fee

Donations welcome
P

Parking information

Park on the left hand side of an approach drive to the pumping station on Deptford Lane. Please keep vehicle access to pumping station clear.

Grazing animals

Our sites are grazed all year by livestock. Please follow the signage on site.

Access

Permit required if you wish to visit the northern part of the reserve. Please avoid the marshy areas as these are sensitive to trampling and can be dangerous to cross.

Dogs

Under effective control

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

Visit in spring to see a beautiful display of wildflowers

About the reserve

The variety of habitats at Greywell  Moors makes this nature reserve attractive to butterflies and birds. Hear the delightful tunes of reed warbler, sedge warbler, reed bunting and marsh tit as they perfect their songs and declare their territories. The keen observer might see a spotted flycatcher darting from a bush, a snipe in the water or hear a water rail. Keep watch for powerful sparrowhawk and buzzard swooping overhead.

Discover the variety of flowering plants including hemp agrimony, purple and yellow loosestrife and marsh valerian.

Seven orchid species have been recorded on site, including southern marsh and common spotted and  marsh helleborine.

Small pockets of woodland host fabulous displays of primrose which can be seen from December all the way through to May. In spring, spectacular splashes of marsh-marigold appear, followed later in the year by marsh lousewort and yellow and purple loosestrife.

Explore the most popular trails, but care should always be taken when entering wetland sites.

Special features

  • The historic disposal of lime spoil in the northern part of the reserve has led to the unusual sight of chalk downland plants living alongside moisture-loving fen plants.
  • The fen is fed by a series of springs that bubble up from the aquifer below through the cracks in the chalk bedrock. These crystal-clear pools support brooklime, forget-me-not, water mint and other aquatic plants. 

Contact us

Alex Hutchinson
Contact number: 01256 381190

Location map