Barton Hills NNR is an example of chalk grassland typical of the northern Chilterns. The site also includes areas of Chilterns beech woodland and ash-maple woodland.
The reserve has a large population of the rare pasque flower and several other rare plants are present in the downland, including greater pignut and fleawort. There is also a range of characteristic chalk grassland plants such as wild thyme, horseshoe vetch, marjoram and rockrose, and a good show of orchids in summer.
Butterflies are a feature of the site with large numbers of chalkhill blue, marbled white and grizzled skipper.
An interesting feature is the occurrence of springs and a chalk stream at the foot of the valley.
The best time to visit the reserve is between April and August, with the pasque flower in bloom between April and early June.
(www.english-nature.org.uk)
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