Nature Reserves in and near Bourton-on-the-Water

England's natural beauty is fabled: rolling hills, dense forests and picture-perfect meadows carpeted in flowers make the countryside an exquisite sight. Visiting England's well-conserved nature reserves is an ideal way to get some fresh air and appreciate the country's splendid scenery and its diverse fauna and flora.

The Nature Reserves are scattered through England, from Northumberland to Cornwall, and practically every rural county has at least one.

England's nature reserves are known as 'National Nature Reserves' and were established specifically to protect the most significant areas of habitat and geological formations. There are over 250 Nature Reserves in England covering over 800 km² and including practically every kind of habitat. They are often home to rare species of plants, insects, butterflies, birds and mammals.

The landscapes range from coastal salt-marshes, wetlands reserves, dunes and cliffs to meadows and the subtle variations of different woodlands. The reserves are important for nature conservation, as they protect threatened habitats such as chalk downs, heaths, bogs and estuaries. They also provide sanctuary to nesting and wintering birds.

Of the 250-odd nature reserves, 35 are highlighted by the reserves' managing body, Natural England, as "Spotlight Reserves". These reserves offer the visitor the best experiences of English nature and wildlife, and are easily accessed, so you can get right into the natural environment.

One such top-class nature reserve is Kingley Vale near Chichester. The reserve boasts one of the finest yew forests in western Europe, including a grove of ancient trees which are among the oldest living things in Britain. Kingley Vale is also one of the most important archaeological sites in southern England as the reserve encompasses Bronze Age burial mounds.

The coastline around Norwich is famous for its glorious nature reserves, and the best of these is Holkham, a diverse and spectacular reserve. Its diverse habitats include dunes, pine woods, green pastures and marshes, which means it has a great variety of wildlife. It's a great place to take a stroll and relax in gorgeous surroundings.

An extensive nature reserve rich in wildlife and diverse habitats is the Suffolk Coast reserve near Southwold. It comprises three reserves: Walberswick, Hen Reedbed and Dingle Marshes, each with a distinct landscape and ecosystem. Resident wildlife includes otters, five species of deer, toads, water voles and countless bird and insect species.

Slapton Ley Reserve near Torquay includes the largest natural freshwater lake in South West England: a shingle 'bay bar' separates the lake from the sea, and the nature reserve is nationally significant as it is home to rare plant and bird species. Slapton Ley nature reserve is also host to 2000 species of fungi, 29 of which have never been found elsewhere!

Also near Torquay, don't miss the East Dartmoor Woods and Heath, which provides an example of internationally important western oakwood with its associated bird and plant communities.

If you're a butterfly enthusiast, head to Aston Rowant Nature Reserve near Windsor. The reserve is home to many rare species of butterfly, as well as a wide variety of orchids and scarce plants. In addition, the nature reserve, which is perched on the steep west-facing side of the Chilterns, supports a variety of bird life and is renowned one of the best places in England to see red kites.

The perfect time to visit nature reserves in England is in the spring and summer months between April and October, as the birds and wildflowers will be at their best during this period.

The nature reserves, especially the spotlight reserves, are often equipped with facilities such as camp sites and bird hides. In many of the nature reserves guided walks and educational tours are also available, so you can learn all about these special and interesting areas.

Certain fragile areas in nature reserves are out of bounds to visitors, and even in the more easily accessible reserves, visitors are asked to respect the fragile ecosystems, stay on the designated trails and leave everything as they found it.

Leave only footprints, and take with you only great memories of England's beautiful nature reserves.