Walk in the Pegsdon Hills
With stunning views from the top of the hills this is one of the most spectacular reserves owned by the Wildlife Trust.
Purchased by the Trust in 1992 following a public appeal the hills are part of the Deacon Hill Site of Special Scientific Interest. The valley slopes and chalk grasslands are home to many rare and beautiful wildflowers and make a great day outdoors for all the family.
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Pause to admire the view |
Chalk grassland
The chalk grassland which remains today on the steepest slopes of the Pegsdon Hills is a remnant of the pastures which once covered much of the downs. When sheep became less profitable, the pastures were ploughed under and the grasses and wildflowers disappeared, as did the insects, birds and other wildlife associated with them.
The slopes of Barn Hole show what has been lost: thyme, marjoram and basil scent the air on sunny days, while bees visit the candytuft, rock rose, harebell and other flowers which colour the hillsdie. Skylarks nest in the long grasses.
Grassland re-creation
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Reaching the top |
Before the introduction of herbicides cornfields were filled with colour in high summer as "weeds" flowered and set seed. The Trust has set aside areas which will be harrowed annually to encourage annuals such as poppy, fumitory, field pansy and rarities which may appear from long-buried seed in the soil.
Sheep and rabbits grazed the original pastures, preventing scrub and trees from invading the grassland and maintaining the balance between grass and flowers. Rabbits alone maintained some areas when farmers gave up sheep, but hawthorn and blackthorn began to appear in the grassland as the spread of myxomatosis reduced rabbit populations.
Today the Trust manage the scrub and have reinstated sheep grazing to maintain and improve the grassland.
How to get there
Take the B655 road west from Hitchin or east from Barton-le-Clay. The Pegsdon
reserve lies directly across the road from the centre of the village. The
Live and Let Live pub offers a welcome end to a walk and enjoys splendid of
the hillsfrom the large gardens.
Ordnance Survey map: TL 120 295
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Please keep dogs on leads and under close control to avoid disturbing the sheep and cattle. Erosion is a serious problem, please keep to paths, metal rods have been burried to mark study plots for the grassland re-creation project. Metal detectors are not permitted. |
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