Yardley Chase facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Barnstaple Wood
|
|
| Area of Search | Northamptonshire Buckinghamshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 357.6 hectares |
| Notification | 1984 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Yardley Chase is a special natural area in England. It covers about 357.6 hectares, which is like 880 football fields! Most of it is in Northamptonshire, but a small part is in Buckinghamshire. This area is known for its amazing wildlife and plants. It includes woodlands, open grassy fields, and parkland. It is officially a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of its importance.
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Amazing Wildlife and Plants
Yardley Chase is home to many different kinds of plants and animals. It's especially important for tiny creatures like insects, which are called invertebrates. The area has been used by the military for a long time. This meant that no intense farming happened here. Because of this, the land has stayed very natural.
You can find woodlands and grasslands that haven't been changed by farming. Over 30 types of butterflies have been seen breeding here! This shows how rich and healthy the environment is for insects.
A Look Back in Time
Yardley Chase has a long and interesting history. It was first used as a hunting ground by Norman kings many centuries ago. Today, it is a mix of woodlands, open fields, and parkland.
More recently, parts of the area were used by the military. This left behind old railway tracks, open grassy spots, and small ponds in the forest. These areas are very valuable for nature. They have been left alone for a long time, which helps many different animals and plants to thrive.
Old maps show that there have been trees here for a very long time. Some of the ancient woodlands have been replanted or changed. This has created different types of forests. You can see oak trees, mixed trees like ash, and even some conifer trees. All these woodlands together are important for nature. The parts that haven't been changed much are extra special.
Yardley Chase is also famous for its old trees. Some trees here date back to the English Civil War. There was even an oak tree here that inspired a famous poem. The poet William Cowper wrote "Yardley Oak" after walking in this area often.
Military History of Yardley Chase
Yardley Chase has a fascinating military past. During World War II, large concrete buildings were built here. These buildings were about 12 meters (40 feet) long. They were used to store bombs.
After the war, these buildings continued to be used. They stored large amounts of explosives until the 1970s. The Ministry of Defence then closed them down. It became clear they would not be useful in a nuclear war.
The site had its own railway line to bring in supplies. You can still see signs of these old tracks today. There are also many small bunkers hidden around the area. Barbed wire fences crisscross the site. You might even find some old military items, like used fireworks, scattered around.
The eastern part of the military site is larger. Its bomb storage buildings are often surrounded by water-filled ditches. The western site's buildings are surrounded by earth banks. A railway track once connected these two areas.
Yardley Chase Today for Training
Even today, Yardley Chase is used for military training. It is a training ground for Army, Navy, and Air cadets. Units from the Territorial Army also use it. They practice basic skills and field-craft here.
The site is not open to the public. Cadet groups from nearby schools use the training area regularly. Naval cadets from TS Invincible also come here for land-based training. Air cadets from Wellingborough and Rushden use it for weekend training too.
New Training Centre
A new training center was built at Yardley Chase. A special ceremony took place on 11 July 2013 to start the building work. This new center cost £7.2 million. It replaced old buildings from World War II that were in poor condition.
The new center can host up to 180 cadets and 45 adult volunteers. It was officially opened on 25 October 2014. Many young people and adult volunteers from different cadet groups attended the opening.
This modern training facility is mainly used by the Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Army Cadet Force. However, other cadet groups, youth organizations, and local businesses can also rent the facility. The opening event allowed guests to see and try out various cadet activities. They also got to explore the new living areas.
Visiting Yardley Chase
There are footpaths that go through Yardley Chase. You can enjoy walks and see the natural beauty. However, some parts of the area are still used by the military. These specific areas are closed to the public for safety reasons.
