The Hambleden Valley is a mostly dry valley running from Skirmett south towards the Thames. The lower reaches do contain a chalk stream. The Wormsley Valley is a dry valley that connects with it. The BOA connects to the Medmenham and South Western Commons BOAs.
Area Coverage: 3595 ha
Local wildlife sites: 26
SSSI: 5
BAP Habitat:
Chalk River
Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland: 26.5 ha
Lowland Beech & Yew Woodland: 126 ha
Lowland Calcareous Grassland: 40 ha
Wood Pasture and Parkland: 0.5 ha
Joint Character Area: Chilterns
Landscape Types: Wooded Agricultural land
Geology: Chalk with overlying sand and gravel in the valley floor, and small areas of clay with flints and gravel as the slopes reach the plateau of the Wormsley Valley.
Topography: Two valleys with gently sloping bottoms with steep sloping sides consisting of numerous spurs rising to a plateau.
Biodiversity:
Calcareous Grassland – In the Wormsley Valley there are 3 calcareous grassland SSSIs spread over 6 sites. There are a few small sites of calcareous grassland on the eastern flank of the Hambleden Valley -including Fayland Chalk Bank SSSI.
Woodland – There are areas of BAP woodland scattered across the plateau and on the steeper slopes including Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland and Lowland Beech and Yew Woodland.
Hedgerows – The Wormsley Valley and the eastern edges of theHambleden Valley contain pre-18th century enclosures and these maybe bordered by species rich hedgerows.
Chalk River – the Hambleden chalk stream flows through the lower reaches of the Hambleden Valley.
Targets:
Lowland Calcareous Grassland – Management, Restoration, Creation
Woodland – Management, Restoration
Hedgerows – Management, Restoration, Creation
Chalk River – Management, Restoration
Wood Pasture and Parkland – Management, Restoration, Creation
Places to visit:
There is a network of footpaths throughout.
