Ningwood Common Nature Reserve
Know before you go
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
Open at all timesBest time to visit
Visit in summer to see butterflies, and if you are a morning person visit early to hear the iconic song of the nightingale. Late in the evening nightjar can be heard churringAbout the reserve
Just outside Cranmore, Ningwood Common has a rich history - returning serviceman settled the area after World War One, but the heavy clay soils were difficult to farm so many of the plots were abandoned and have since returned to woodland. The mix of habitats is fantastic for wildlife – it’s a haven for red squirrels and dormice. In the summer, you can follow the woodland path and look for silver-washed fritillaries and white admirals flitting about in the sunlight.
If you’re an early riser, listen for the iconic song of the nightingale at one of its few remaining strongholds. Later at dusk the elusive nightjar can be heard churring and the ghostly silhouette of a barn owl silently hunting its prey emerges from the trees. The heathland of Ningwood Common is home to the reddish buff moth – this is the only place it can now be found in the UK.