Sergeants Orchard Nature Reserve

Apple Orchard

Photo - Ross Hoddinott / 2020VISION

Red Clover

Photo - Ross Hoddinott / 2020VISION

Sergeants Orchard Nature Reserve

With trees covered in apples and grasses full of wildflowers, make sure to visit this little slice of picturesque countryside

Location

Fordham Road
Bures
Essex
CO8 5AZ

OS Map Reference

TL906307
A static map of Sergeants Orchard Nature Reserve

Know before you go

Size
3 hectares
P

Parking information

Limited parking in a small pull-in at the entrance to the bridle path with a chain attached to two metal posts, off Fordham Rd

Grazing animals

Sheep grazing in March and from October-November

Walking trails

Paths around the fields and through the orchard

Access

Paths are unsurfaced but reasonably flat

Dogs

Dogs permitted

Under effective control

When to visit

Opening times

Accessible at all times

Best time to visit

April to September

About the reserve

A picturesque slice of the countryside, this mix of traditional and new orchard, newly planted grassland and ponds was left to the trust in 1995.

Since then, the mixed fruit orchard has been sympathetically restored to its former glory, with the two fields either side planted with a new orchard, grafted from the old trees, and the other planted with a conservation grass mix.

When walking around the grassland plot, keep an eye out for scarce Large Carder Bees foraging on Spear Thistle, White Dead-nettle, Red Clover and Red Bartsia during the summer. This little bee is the focus of the conservation efforts at the reserve, with the Trust’s flying flock of sheep brought in to graze below the trees, ensuring the abundance of the bee’s foraging plants throughout the summer months.

More recently there has even been a small population of Common Spotted Orchids found growing in the grassland!

Environmental designation

Local Wildlife Site (LWS)