Nores Hill Wood Nature Reserve - 8 hectares

Nores Hill Wood is an ancient woodland site. Ancient woodlands are woods that have been constantly wooded since 1600.

Historically this site was known as Nores Hill Park and is located adjacent to the recent Shinfield Park development. The site historically formed part of Windsor Great Park and Henry VIII had a hunting lodge there.

There are a number of veteran oak trees on site, the largest of which would have been present during his reign.

Wildflowers

The ancient woodland is home to a number of wildflowers including carpets of Bluebells in the spring, Primroses, Dog’s Mercury and Wood Anemones.

The site is also home to the rare Wild Service tree which is almost exclusively found in ancient woodlands. Historically the site was thought to support a population of the internationally rare Dormouse, although there have been no recent records.

Conservation

In order to enhance the wildlife value of the site the Countryside Service intends to reinstate active coppice management on parts of the woodland.

Access

There is no car park for this site, but the woodland is accessed from near the Shinfield Players theatre on Whitley Wood Lane. Follow the road past the Shinfield Players onto Greenwich Drive and turn left onto Cirrus Drive. A kissing gate is located at the end of the paved driveway in front of you.