Little Langford Down Nature Reserve
Little Langford Down is a 3.2ha chalk downland coombe that has been managed by the Trust since 1986. Surrounded on almost all sides by Grovely Wood and scattered with scrub and old oak trees, this variety of habitats supports a wide range of wildlife including many rarities.
The Reserve forms part of Ebsbury Down, a much larger area of downland that is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). A huge range of butterflies have been recorded in the area since 1990 including Adonis Blue (Lysandra bellargus), Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) and Dark-green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja). The slopes are scattered with a large number of anthills, many of which have built up to a considerable size.
In addition to the typical downland flora a number of plants not normally associated with downland occur on the edges of the reserve including Slender St John’s-wort (Hypericum pulchrum), Common Dog Violet (Viola riviniana) and Dog’s Mercury (Mercurialis perennis)
Wildlife
There is a rich array of flora with over 140 recorded plant species including Squinancywort (Asperula cynanchica), Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis), Common Rockrose (Helianthemum Nummularium), Horseshoe Vetch (Hippocrepis comosa) and Chalk Milkwort (Polygala calcarea). Though small in numbers, several orchid species have also been recorded, the most interesting being the Lesser Butterfly Orchid (Platanthera bifolia). The Reserve supports the nationally scarce Bastard Toadflax (Thesium humifusum), a small herb with tiny white flowers and Meadow Saxifrage (Saxifraga granulate); both are rare species in Wiltshire.
Little Langford Down is an exceptional site for butterflies, 36 species have been recorded since 1990 drawn to the rare flora of the site and the surrounding woodland. In addition to downland species such as Adonis Blue (Lysandra bellargus), Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) and Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi), many species are present on account of the adjoining woodland such as the Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne). Other invertebrates include the nationally scarce Dotted Bee-fly (Bombylius discolor) and the Solitary Bee (Osmia bicolor) that nests in empty snail shells.
Buzzard (Buteo buteo), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) and Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) have all been spotted in the area along with a few sightings of Ravens (Corvus corax).
History and Management
Fragments of field systems indicate that the lower part of the north-facing slope and the north corner of the Reserve were cultivated in the late Prehistoric or Romano-British period when the downland ridge would have been relatively densely populated. However the site has remained uncultivated for several centuries and cattle and sheep have grazed the grassland.
Little Langford is managed under the Trust’s New Life for Chalk Grasslands Project.
Other information
Dogs are allowed, but must be on a short leash at all times of year.
Best time to visit: Spring and summer for downland flowers
Habitat: Chalk Downland
Specialities of the Reserve: rich downland flora including rarities such as Bastard Toadflax, Meadow Saxifrage and Lesser Butterfly Orchid. Wide range of butterflies including Adonis Blue, Green Hairstreak, Dark-green Fritillary and Dingy Skipper.
Location: From the Salisbury to Warminster road (A36) in the in the village of Stoford turn off towards Great Wishford. Go past the church and Royal Oak pub then under the railway bridge and continue along Grovely Road for approximately 1 mile. Park at small car park, near the sign for Grovely Wood. On foot follow the track into woods for 20-30 minutes until you come across a metal field gate. Continue along the bridleway past the gate, take the first turning to the right and follow the track for a further 5-10 minutes Just past a left-hand bend, look out for a post with a white arrow on the right, follow the track indicated by the arrow and a short path will lead you to the entrance to the Reserve at the grid reference SU046348.
