Withymead Nature Reserve facts for kids

Withymead Nature Reserve is a special place in Oxfordshire, right by the River Thames near Goring-on-Thames. It's about 13 acres big, which is like 10 football fields! This amazing nature spot is looked after by a group called the Anne Carpmael Charitable Trust. Their main goal is to create a safe home for wild animals and plants, and to inspire everyone who visits.

Where is Withymead Nature Reserve?

The reserve is located on the eastern side of the River Thames, about 1.2 miles north of Goring village. A railway line runs along its western edge. The small village of South Stoke is about half a mile to the north.

What Can You See at Withymead?

At the heart of Withymead is a cottage that once belonged to Anne Carpmael. The reserve includes a beautiful stretch of riverbank lined with trees, a marshy area with reeds, and a peaceful woodland.

You can explore the site using well-kept paths and wooden walkways. There are also three special hides where you can quietly watch the wildlife without disturbing them. You might even spot old parts of Saunders Boatyard, like two slipways, which were used to launch boats long ago.

Amazing Plants and Animals at Withymead

Withymead Nature Reserve is home to many different kinds of plants and animals. It's a great place to see nature up close!

Beautiful Flowers to Spot

The most famous flower at Withymead is the Loddon lily. You can see its lovely white blooms throughout April and May. Other pretty flowers here include Star of Bethlehem, cuckoo plant, ragged robin, yellow iris, and both red and white campion.

Wild Animals Living Here

Keep an eye out for some of the shy animals that live in the reserve. You might see small muntjac deer or larger roe deer. Badgers and foxes also make their homes here.

Birds of Withymead

Many birds call Withymead home. You can often spot coots and moorhens on the water. Look up to see majestic red kites and buzzards soaring in the sky. In winter, birds like lesser redpolls and bramblings come to visit.

Tiny Creatures: Invertebrates

The reserve is also a special place for many small creatures without backbones, called invertebrates. It's a particularly important safe haven for a tiny snail called Desmoulin's whorl snail.

History of Withymead Nature Reserve

The land around the cottage was once home to Saunders Boatyard. This boatyard was started by Cornelius Saunders in 1870 and moved to the Withymead site in 1882.

Anne Carpmael and her first husband, Jock Wise, first bought the cottage at Withymead as a holiday getaway. Over time, Anne bought more land around the cottage as it became available. This is how the reserve grew to the 22 acres that the trust manages today. Anne lived at Withymead for over 60 years, and during that time, the site became a wonderful home for local plants and animals.