Ketford Bank facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ketford Bank |
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A typical bank of wild daffodils in the Leadon Valley
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| Type | Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust nature reserve |
| Location | In the Forest of Dean district, near Pauntley, Redmarley and Dymock |
| Area | 1.7 acres (0.69 ha) |
| Created | 2010 |
| Operated by | Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust |
| Status | Open all year |
Ketford Bank is a special nature reserve in Gloucestershire, England. It covers about 0.69 hectares (which is like 1.7 acres). This beautiful area is looked after by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, a group that helps protect wildlife. They bought Ketford Bank in February 2010 to keep it safe for nature.
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Where is Ketford Bank?
Ketford Bank is found in the lovely River Leadon Valley. You can get there by following a public path called a bridleway, which connects the villages of Redmarley and Dymock. Ketford itself is a small village, or "hamlet," and it's part of the Parish of Pauntley. This whole area is located within the Forest of Dean district.
Amazing Wild Daffodils
Ketford Bank is famous for its huge numbers of Wild Daffodils (their scientific name is Narcissus pseudonarcissus). This part of Gloucestershire has always been a great place for these cheerful yellow flowers. They grow naturally in the woods and fields here. Pictures from 1991, kept by Natural England, show just how many Wild Daffodils there were at Ketford Bank even back then!
In the early 1990s, experts studied the plants growing at Ketford Bank. They found many different kinds of plants. For a while, some unwanted plants like Bracken (a type of fern) and thick bushes started to take over. But don't worry! The reserve has been carefully looked after, and now animals grazing there help to keep the land healthy.
The Wild Daffodil Trail
The Wild Daffodil Trail is a series of walking routes designed to show off the best places to see these amazing flowers. Ketford Bank is one of the important nature reserves included in these walks. Other places on the trail include Betty Daw's Wood (which is part of the Dymock Woods SSSI), Gwen and Vera's Fields, and Vell Mill Daffodil Meadow.
One popular walk is the Dymock to Ketford route, which is about 8 miles long. This walk takes you through Vell Mill Meadow, a conservation area called Callow Farm, and finally to Ketford Bank. Another shorter walk, about 2 miles long, includes Betty Daw's Wood and Gwen and Vera's Fields, which are close to Newent.
Protecting the Wild Daffodils
Wild Daffodils face many challenges. One big problem is that their habitats are getting broken up into smaller pieces. This makes it harder for the flowers to spread and grow. Also, if their natural homes are not looked after, they can disappear. Sometimes, plants that don't belong in the area can also invade and push out the native daffodils.
Poets and Paths
The bridleway that goes from Ketford to Dymock is special for another reason: it's one of the "Poets' Paths." These paths remember the Dymock Poets, a group of famous writers who lived in this area in the early 1900s. People believe that the beautiful scenery and peaceful nature of this area helped inspire their poems.
