Purchased by Herefordshire Wildlife Trust in 2020, work has been underway to create a wetland nature reserve to form a stepping stone for wildlife in the Lugg Valley.

The site originally comprised pasture and meadow as well as a temporary pool beside the river which was fed by a spring. In 2022 and early 2023 we created a series of pools and scrapes along the banks of the river. Pools that would hold floodwater and provide additional habitat for wetland wildlife. The areas around these pools will be a wet grassland, with a variety of wildflowers providing food for pollinators like bumblebees. A swale, taking run-off from the road to the pond, was also created and planted with reedbed – a nationally scarce habitat. This work was funded by National Highways as part of their Network for Nature funding.

Together with Bodenham Lake and Lugg Meadow, this reserve forms part of our flagship Lugg Valley Nature Reserves which, together with Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum, will offer some of the best wildlife-watching in the county.

To maintain this wildlife haven, the site will not be open to the public. We would therefore, like to offer this exclusive opportunity to visit the site for a limited time.

Meeting at the Jubilee room in Queenswood, members of our reserves team will give a presentation about the project from inception to the present day. You will then be taken by private minibus to the site for a guided tour. Our wildlife experts will be on hand throughout to answer your questions.

This is a paid experience and all funds go towards continuing to defend and recover nature in Herefordshire.

Please note the ticket price includes free parking at Queenswood but we kindly request you use the staff or overflow car parks.