Barton Hills NNR

Barton Hills NNR Barton Hills NNR is mostly flower rich chalk grassland typical of the north Chilterns, including a large population of the nationally rare pasque flower.

The reserve also includes areas of Chilterns beech woodland and ash-maple woodland. Barton Hills NNR is a fine example of downland and woodland in the north Chilterns

Barton Hills NNR
County: Bedfordshire

Main habitats: Lowland chalk grassland, beech woodland. The whole 44 hectares of this reserve is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Why visit: Barton Hills NNR is mostly flower

rich chalk grassland typical of the north Chilterns, including a large population of the nationally rare pasque flower. The reserve also includes areas of Chilterns beech woodland and ash-maple woodland, plus a number of springs flowing into a chalk stream at the foot of the valley. Barton Hills is a popular destination for walkers, families and wildlife enthusiasts alike. The whole site is open access, and there are a number of footpaths throughout. Access is for pedestrians only, no bicycles, motorbikes or other vehicles allowed. Star species: Colourful wild flowers cover the chalk grassland, including rarities such as the Pasque flower, greater pignut and field fleawort, plus classic downland plants like marjoram, rock rose and scabious. In summer you will see plenty of butterflies including chalkhill blue, marbled white and dark green fritillary. The woodland contains an important population of large leaved lime trees and is also home to the scarce plant herb paris. Also, look out for mammals including stoats, weasels and hares. This page is run by volunteers who love and care for the hills, please take care of them! This page is NOT affiliated or connected to Natural England.

This weeks volunteer task we were at Hexton spreading meadow cut and wild seed upon the valley floor in order to propaga...
03/09/2026

This weeks volunteer task we were at Hexton spreading meadow cut and wild seed upon the valley floor in order to propagate for next spring.

Thanks to all of our wonderful volunteers!

The news we hoped we’d never have to tellLast night at approximately 9pm a fire was discovered at the top of Leet Wood. ...
30/05/2026

The news we hoped we’d never have to tell

Last night at approximately 9pm a fire was discovered at the top of Leet Wood. Due to the lack of recent rain and already dry underbrush the fire caught quickly and spread eastwards downhill towards the stream.

Fire crews were called, and 7 appliances were deployed (Luton, Ampthill, Kempston & Biggleswade plus support vehicles), with approximately 30 fire crew on hand.

The remainder of the evening and throughout the night was spent dousing out flames and charred trees and vegetation right up until mid Saturday morning.

A swathe of the reserve (hundreds of square metres) of mature woodland has either been sadly damaged or destroyed as the result.

We believe the source to have been a lit disposable bbq being thrown into the undergrowth.

Barton Hills NNR is classified as a SSSI (site of special scientific interest) and is therefore robustly protected by law.

The Police are now involved and investigations are ongoing in order to determine the perpetrators from wildlife camera footage.

Thankfully the fire destroyed a small part of Barton Hills, but it could have been much worse.

Please please please don’t think it’s ok to visit with the intention of having a fire or bbq on site. You’re not welcome.

It’s illegal, thoughtless, extremely dangerous, and if found you will be prosecuted.

We’ve had three separate reports this afternoon of schoolchildren starting a fire and exploding canisters under the over...
15/05/2026

We’ve had three separate reports this afternoon of schoolchildren starting a fire and exploding canisters under the overhanging trees at the bottom of Leet wood.

We have separate confirmatory sightings that some of the children are wearing Arnold School uniform.

If your child has been out in a group and has been on the hills after school please check with them if they have been involved. The fire was quite significant and had to be put out by a member of the public.

The Police and fire services have been notified and we are checking wildlife cameras in that area for help to identify the perpetrators.

We will be in touch with the school first thing Monday to advise them of this completely irresponsible and very dangerous behaviour.

16/04/2026
Today we’re doing the annual Pasqueflower count upon Knocking Hoe NNR and marvelling at the abundance of beautiful flowe...
16/04/2026

Today we’re doing the annual Pasqueflower count upon Knocking Hoe NNR and marvelling at the abundance of beautiful flowers!

Thanks to all our our kind volunteers for their assistance!

Our amazing volunteers continued with more hawthorn popping today as well as repairs to the trough. The Pasque flowers a...
09/04/2026

Our amazing volunteers continued with more hawthorn popping today as well as repairs to the trough.

The Pasque flowers are now coming through in increasing numbers which is lovely to see (we shall be doing our annual count in the next week or so to look at numbers) and recent gate/fence repairs seem to be holding and doing the trick!

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Barton

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+447973185922

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