About the reserve

Box Wood is tucked away on the edge of the village of Box. Its beech trees are complemented by areas of hazel and box, making it an ideal habitat for the elusive hazel dormouse. The nature reserve supports more than 450 different species, some 58 of which are protected. In spring the woodland is filled with flowers, including anemones, bluebells, herb-Paris and wild garlic. These are followed by bird’s-nest orchids among the beech trees, and common spotted and early purple orchids in the glades. In summer the reserve is visited by woodland butterflies, including the silver-washed fritillary. Great spotted woodpeckers and tawny owls can be heard in the small block of oak trees, while nuthatches and tree creepers can be seen scaling tree trunks. There are several limestone streams running down to an area of wet ground that was once a pond. 

The residents of Box village purchased their local woodland in 2017, which is now managed by GWT with the help of volunteers. The woodland is being managed by reintroducing coppicing, creating open areas of grassland (glades) and clearing invasive species.