Chedworth

Chedworth Nature Reserve lies in the heart of the Cotswolds on the South side of the Coln Valley and midway between the villages of Chedworth and Withington and next to the Roman Villa owned by the National Trust. The reserve is a section of the disused Cheltenham to Cirencester railway line and the track bed includes both cuttings and embankments. The Reserve takes the form of a woodland ride, with expanses of beech woods on either side of the railway line.

Geology
To realise the importance of Chedworth Nature Reserve, we have to take a journey back over 200 million years. In 1891, when the railway line was constructed, Cotswold limestones were exposed which are estimated to be 188 million years old. These limestones allow us to understand how the landscape of the Cotswold area has been formed. These Middle Jurassic colitic limestones were formed when layers of sediment settled to the sea bed of shallow tropical Jurassic seas and then formed rock under the pressure of the sea. The layers of this sedimentary rock allow us to learn about the environment in which they were created, the climate and the flora and fauna of the time.

Chedworth Nature Reserve has an excellent example of an unconformity, this is an interval in the geological time line where the sea retreated and exposed the rock/sea bed to the air and thus lead to erosion and weathering. After this period, the sea level rose again and the process of creating rock resumed. The rock above the unconformity is known as Upper Trigonia grit while the rock below it is known as Notgrove freestone. In the latter part of the Jurassic period, the Cotswolds become distorted due to powerful earthquakes caused by the creation of the Atlantic Ocean. Faults are seen in the Reserve which are visible fractures in the bedrock caused when sections lifted and fell. At the south end of the site, near the railway tunnel, lime-rich water emerges in a tufa spring, flowing over plants and rocks covering them with limescale and forming new rock.

Wildlife
Chedworth Nature Reserve contains a great diversity of wildlife due to its position in the ancient Chedworth Woods and because of the limestone geology. Ancient woods are those which were in existence before 1600 because of this they tend to be very wildlife rich. Bluebell, wayfaring tree, primrose and wood spurge are all species which can be found on the shady edges of the Reserve, ramsons (wild garlic) and wild strawberry are also seen in the Reserve. The site is also home to many woodland birds, tawny owls, woodcock, nuthatch and wren have been seen along with blackbird, blackcap and wood warbler. Mammals on the site include dormouse and bats which are endangered species and fallow deer. In sunny weather, speckled wood, comma and silver-washed fritillary and marbled white and common blue butterflies can be seen. A species recently listed as endangered, the Helix pomatia or Roman snail, is present on the Reserve and can be seen in mild and moist weather.

The dry stony conditions created by the limestone bedrock suits many rare species of wildflower; including autumn gentian and common milkwort along with common centaury and white clover. On sunny days, common lizards and adders can be seen. Mosses and liverworts thrive in the moist atmosphere of the tufa.

How to find Chedworth Nature Reserve

The Reserve lies south of the A40 (Cheltenham-Oxford). From Andoversford (A40 and A436) go through Withington and follow the brown signs to the Roman Villa. From the A429 Fosse Way, south of Fossebridge look for the brown signs to the Roman Villa. Park in the lane (not the Villa car-park). Follow the public footpath by the Villa into the wood and the Reserve entrance. Please be careful as the embankment steps are steep.

A walk in Chedworth Nature Reserve

This scenic, abandoned railway line passes through hilly, wooded terrain for over a mile. Walking south (left) from the entrance through shady woodland you eventually reach the tufa spring and railway tunnel. Walking northwards, you will enjoy glimpse into the Chedworth Woods before eventually reaching the wider vistas of the northern embankment. At intervals along the track, rock cuttings have been cleared to demonstrate the geological interest.

You will see many different habitats, a result of the widely varying conditions, light and shade, moisture, slope and soil depth, a diversity reflected by the 200 plant species and many birds, mammals and invertebrates that live here. You may find watching for wildlife most rewarding in the early morning or late evening.