Chorleywood House Estate

Chorleywood House Estate Local Nature Reserve is located within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The 66 hectare site offers several contrasting walks set within the beautiful estate grounds that combine formal parkland, open meadows and mature woodland leading to the River Chess. The estate has a long history. Harvest festivals, for example, used the grounds from the late 19th century. In 1892 Lady Russell bought the estate and today most of the grounds remain largely unchanged with the formal gardens, Wisteria Circle and historic buildings, to name a few of the fascinating features, being maintained, enhanced and restored. As well as many open and formal areas of Chorleywood House Estate there are several relatively secluded areas such as Wood Walk which is dominated by oak, cherry, beech and ash. In spring the floor is bright with bluebells, wood anemone and wild daffodils and also supports the nationally rare coralroot bittercress. Along the walk the canopy opens to reveal panoramic views across the River Chess which supports water voles. In addition to the wildlife interest of Chorleywood House Estate various community groups utilise the area. There is a tennis club, a youth football club, a model railway club, a Montessori School, a youth club and a Scout Camp. The Friends of Chorleywood House Estate and the Chorleywood Community Orchard group also hold regular volunteer days at the Local Nature Reserve. The groups undertake tasks such as ragwort pulling, coppicing, pruning and tree planting and they are always ready to welcome new volunteers.