Access
The Reserve stretches across from Audlett Drive
to Radley Road so there is access to the site from both roads.
There is also access from the end of Hadland Road and a footpath from
Eason drive.
Connectivity
Healthy
Abingdon Walk 13 passes through the part
of the Reserve. This walk takes you from a pedestrian crossing on
Audlett Drive along Daisy Bank Path to the entrance of the reserve
at the end of Hadland Road.
The reserve
This is a wetland area managed
by the Earth
Trust. There is a stream through the site but this can be overgrown with wild vegetation so you will find it hard to see any
water during the summer months. There are also seasonal pools and
wet grasslands, reed-beds, sedge beds, sycamore woodland, fen and
scrub.
According to the Trust, the
site includes over 450 plants, mammals, birds, invertebrates and
amphibians, including water voles, bats, smooth newts, frogs, 21
species of butterfly and 200 species of flowering plant!
There are several paths in and
around the area. Some near the edges or the reserve are paved
but the others are not and it is therefore suggested that you have
good foot-ware when exploring. As this is a nature reserve, you
should not leave the paths. Cycling is not allowed. Picnicking
is welcome but not barbecues.
There is a long path from
Audlett Drive to Radley Road which is 670m long. Traversing
the site from the Hadand Road entry to the opposite housing estate
is around 120m.
There is no evidence
whatsoever that this area was ever used by Abbey for its fishponds
but it is nice to imagine that it was. A past name for the
site was Daisy Bank.
|
