Nature Areas
Beechfield Nature Area is situated along Middlewick Lane, Corsham.
Beechfield Nature Area was formerly part of the grounds of Beechfield House. The land was transferred to the Council's ownership in 2002.
The Council's aim is to improve the amenity, recreational and nature conservation value of Beechfield Nature Area, widening its appeal to the people of Corsham, while retaining its original character.
The site is approximately 2 hectares in size and is within a Conservation Area.
The flora is typical of open and wooded limestone upland, attracting a
characteristic range of birds and animals.
There is rarely a moment when something is not happening here. Particularly apparent is the depredation caused by Dutch Elm disease. Elm continues to sucker and grow here, in contrast to the outline of dead parent trees, but after about 15 years the virus returns to kill off the smaller trees.
- Bee Orchid
- Meadow cranesbill
- Birds Foot Trefoil
- Herb Robert
- Meadow vetchling
- Red Bartsia
- Common Fleabane
- Several grass species
- Dandelion
- Plantain
- Ragwort
- Dock
- Nettle
- Cowslips
- Birch
- Sycamore
- Maple
- Ash
- Elm
- Poplar
- Cherry
- Oak
- Beech
- Partridges
- Green woodpeckers
- Deer
- Foxes
- Rabbits
- Bullfinches
- Chiffchaffs
- Goldcrests
- Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers
- Tawny Owls
- Multiple species of Bats
- Long Tailed Tits
The Batters
Corsham Town Council owns and manages The Batters specifically to protect and encourage wildlife, whilst permitting public access. The Batters is maintained as open space with a woodland walk and stream. It is used as a walk way between a residential area and the town. Corsham Town Council’s aim is to improve the amenity, recreational and nature conservation value of the site, widen its appeal to the people of Corsham, whilst retaining its original character. The plan is to encourage local people, particularly disadvantaged groups and communities, to take an active interest in the improvement of their environment and its wildlife. The woodland area consists mainly of ash and hawthorn with sycamore and elm, in varying sizes and condition. Ground flora includes ground elder, wild garlic, nettles, cow parsley, dogs mercury, and bramble. Part of the footpath and brook go through the lower section of the woodland. There are several mature trees in the woodland including a significant Wych Elm. The stream has some wildlife and has a range of ferns along its bank. The Batters is approximately 1.5 hectares of woodland with footpaths and mown grass. The site undulates with a lower path running alongside the Great Western Railway Line and Byde Mill Brook. The Batters was used by the Scots Guards for digging trenches and realistic training for the First World War. In the mid-1970’s the site fell victim to Dutch Elm Disease resulting in the loss of several mature trees. Vegetation was cleared from the site in 1968 to improve access. In the early 1990’s volunteers carried out further scrub & vegetation clearance and replanted trees and re-laid paths. The Brook was classified as Main River by the Environment Agency in 2004. A public footpath runs the length of the site from Pound Pill/Prospect to Brook Drive
