Hartslock

Hartslock is a 42-hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest beside the River Thames south-east of Goring-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. The sloping grassland and ancient woodland sit on the river’s north bank, with a smaller nature reserve managed by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust. The site is famous for its wild orchids, especially the rare monkey orchid found in only a few English locations. A Special Area of Conservation covers nearly 30 hectares, protecting the rich chalk downland and riverside habitats. The name Hartslock comes from a 15th-century family who once built a wooden eel trap across the river below the woods. The site was first recognised for protection in 1915 by Charles Rothschild, founder of the Wildlife Trusts, though war delayed action. Local people in the 1950s and 60s campaigned against agricultural encroachment and helped safeguard the orchids. In 1975 the Trust bought part of the land and opened it as a nature reserve, with full SSSI status granted in 1986. The wood contains beech and yew trees and supports a large badger colony. A hybrid of the monkey and lady orchids has been recorded here, the only place in Britain where this cross has been found. The Thames Path crosses Hartslock Woods, running through species-rich chalk downland and ancient yew woodland. The route keeps some distance from the river because the old towpath lies on the opposite bank. Visitors walk past fen and scrub alongside orchid-rich slopes where bee, pyramidal and common spotted orchids grow. The varied habitats include semi-natural broadleaved woodland and riverside fen, offering quiet glimpses of wildlife. The sloping grassland is especially colourful in orchid season.