Bardney Limewoods National Nature Reserve

National Nature Reserves (NNRs) were established to protect the most important areas of wildlife habitat and geological formations in Britain, and as places for scientific research.  All NNRs are "nationally important" and provide the best examples of a particular habitat.

In the case of Bardney Limewoods NNR the woods are the most important examples of small-leaved lime ancient woodland in Britain.  The NNR is also situated at the northern limit for the small-leaved lime to grow in the country.  The woods in the NNR cover a wide range of soil and drainage conditions, resulting in a varied ground flora and range of different tree and shrub communities.

Bardney Limewoods NNR was declared in 1997 under Section 19 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1959. The NNR consists of 9 separate woods (Wickenby Wood; part of Newball Wood; Hardy Gang Wood, Great West & Cocklode Wood; College Wood; Great Scrubbs Wood; Ivy wood; Hatton Wood; Scotgrove Wood and Southery Wood) covering 383 hectares.  The woodlands within the NNR have been surveying since the 1960s and much of the research, undertaken by George Peterken, resulted in important ecological papers on such topics as ancient woodland indicators and Peterken stand types. 

For more information on National Nature Reserves visit the Natural England website by following the link below.