Little Pen Wood Local Nature Reserve

Little Pen Wood is an ancient woodland in the Highclere area that has been declared a local nature reserve in recognition of its value to local people and its ancient trees, diverse wildlife and wet woodland habitats.

Its status protects Little Pen Wood as a statutory nature reserve, recognising its nature conservation value and the efforts to enhance its wildlife. It supports impressive veteran trees, has fantastic fungal diversity and there is wet woodland on either side of the stream at its southern end. Local people can use the area for everyday activities, such as walking, cycling and dog walking.

People living nearby are encouraged to join the Little Pen Wood Conservation Group that works with our rangers and Natural Basingstoke to care for and enhance the area to benefit species including hazel dormice, barbastelle bats, grass snakes, dark green fritillaries and tawny owls. The plan for how it is managed was agreed with Natural England.