Known locally as ‘The Gosey’, Coombe Brook Nature Reserve is an oasis for wildlife and is accessible via little pathways and steps leading from all directions. It makes for an adventurous and worthwhile journey, with branches to duck under, some steep slopes to tackle and stepping stones to cross.
On either side of the stream are small wooded areas of hazel, oak and sycamore trees. Most of the reserve is mature scrub of hawthorn and elder, providing an important home for birds such as wren, greenfinch and spotted flycatcher. Butterflies can also be seen here in the more open areas of scrub and grassland, including small tortoiseshell, peacock and speckled wood.
You can join Friends of Coombe Brook Valley for activities like scrub clearing before the birds nest, and grass cutting in September, with some fun and informative sessions too. Follow the links below.