Kingcup Meadows and Oldhouse Wood

Kingcup Meadows and Oldhouse Wood lies south of Denham in Buckinghamshire. The 13.2-hectare site sits beside the River Alder Bourne and mixes unimproved pasture with woodland. Dry and wet grassland, swamp and fen form a patchwork of habitats. Red fescue grows in drier meadows while creeping bent spreads across wetter patches. Cattle graze the eastern fields and the drier eastern meadows yield a late hay crop. Oldhouse Wood rises on upper slopes of ash and field maple before oaks and birches take over on lower ground. The site is a Site of Special Scientific Interest recognised for its variety of species. Several dragonflies patrol the air above the wetlands and grasses. The mosaic of soils and water levels supports many plants and insects. The cattle help maintain the open grassland by grazing selectively. The river’s floodplain keeps the fen areas damp all year. This combination of management and natural features makes the place important for wildlife. Visitors reach the meadows along a track between Copse Hill Farm and Willetts Lane. The path leads straight into the heart of the mosaic of habitats. Dry grassland paths wind past patches of swamp and fen. Oldhouse Wood offers shaded walks beneath mixed canopies. Views open across the river to the surrounding countryside. The site shows how grassland, woodland and wetland can sit side by side.