Castle Bottom is a British national nature reserve located near Yateley in Hampshire. It is part of Castle Bottom to Yateley and Hawley Commons, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest,[1] and Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area for the conservation of wild birds[2]

Geography

Castle bottom Nature reserve in February 2017

The nature reserve is situated south-west of Yateley and is on the north-west border of Blackbushe Airport. The reserve is a small lowland site of around 29 hectares (72 acres), containing two valley mires, with heathland and woodland habitats.[3][4] Each of the valley mires has an acidic stream running through them.[5]

History

There is evidence that the area was used by humans as far back as 1800 to 550 BC, with discovery of some ancient burial mounds.[6] There is evidence of banks being built in the Western Mire, but it is not possible to date exactly when they were built[7]

The land was owned by the Bramshill estate until 1952, when it was sold.[7] The land was last owned by a manufacturer of quarry equipment before the council purchased the site.[7]

In the early 20th century two cottages were built on the north border of the reserve. Used until the 1960s, they are now ruins.[6]

Fauna

The nature reserve has the following fauna:[8][9][10][11][12][13][14]

Mammals

Birds

Invertebrates

Reptiles, amphibians and other vertebrates

Fungi

Flora

The nature reserve has the following flora:[10][15]

Trees

Herbaceous plants

References

  1. ↑ "Designated Sites View: Castle Bottom to Yateley and Hawley Commons". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  2. ↑ "Designated Sites View: Thames Basin Heaths". Special Protection Areas. Natural England. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  3. ↑ "Hampshire's National Nature Reserves". GOV.UK. 2 August 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  4. ↑ "Castle Bottom National Nature Reserve". .hants.gov.uk. 22 July 2016. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  5. ↑ "Castle Bottom National Nature Reserve - Yateley - Days Out". The AA. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  6. 1 2 "Hampshire - Entertainment - Castle Bottom". BBC. 28 October 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 "History of Castle Bottom". .hants.gov.uk. 2 April 2015. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  8. ↑ "Mammals at Castle Bottom Nature Reserve". .hants.gov.uk. 2 April 2015. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  9. ↑ "Castle Bottom National Nature Reserve -a hidden gem! | Yateley Common Country Park". Yateleycommoncountrypark.wordpress.com. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  10. 1 2 "Castle Bottom to Yately and Hawley Commons SPA" (PDF). .hants.gov.uk. 9 March 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  11. ↑ "Birds at Castle Bottom". .hants.gov.uk. 2 April 2015. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  12. ↑ "Insects at Castle Bottom". .hants.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  13. ↑ "Reptiles at Castle Bottom". .hants.gov.uk. 2 April 2015. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  14. ↑ "Fungi at Castle Bottom Nature Reserve". .hants.gov.uk. 2 April 2015. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  15. ↑ "Plants at Castle Bottom Nature Reserve". .hants.gov.uk. 2 April 2015. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.

51°19′48″N 0°51′25″W / 51.330°N 0.857°W / 51.330; -0.857

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