Hutchinson's Bank, Chapel Bank & Threecorner Grove

The reserve
Separated by Featherbed Lane, this large 30 hectare nature reserve covers an extensive area of a dry chalk valley in south Croydon.

The steep grassland slope of Hutchinson's Bank hosts wonderfully diverse butterflies, plantlife and birds. Pyramidal, common spotted and man orchid are amongst the flora, with grasses including kidney vetch and the nationally scarce greater yellow-rattle.

Over 100 species of moth have been recorded here and, in a good year, 28 species of butterfly can be seen, including small blue and dark green fritillary.

Following the chalk walk around Hutchinson's Bank brings you to Chapel Bank. This is an area of ancient woodland, scrub and chalk grassland, spiked with orchids including common twayblade and white helleborine.

Threecorner Grove is found in between the two banks and is a small stand of ancient woodland of oak, wild cherry and hazel, with moschatel, wild garlic and carpets of bluebell in spring.

To find out more about the reserve and how we manage it, read the management brief.

Habitats you'll see
Chalk grasslands, ancient woodland and scrub

Species you might spot
Small blue and dark green fritillary butterflies; common spotted and man orchids, common twayblade, white helleborine orchids, kidney vetch, greater yellow-rattle grasses, and bluebells

What's in my backyard?
Find out what species have been spotted on this reserve with the fantastic WIMBY tool, run by GiGL – Greenspace Information for Greater London.

Submit your wildlife sightings to GiGL to help build a picture of London's nature.  

Visit us
There are entrances off Featherbed Lane, or Farleigh Dean Crescent in Croydon.

Unstaffed

Open at all times

Access Map and further reserve information

Get involved

To find out more about getting involved at the reserve, read page 11 of the management brief.

Site status
Site of Metropolitan Importance; Local Nature Reserve