Hutchinson's Bank, Chapel Bank & Threecorner Grove
Know before you go
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
Open at all timesBest time to visit
April to JulyAbout the reserve
This dry chalk valley in New Addington is a butterfly spotter’s paradise and a great place to find orchids, rare plants, and blankets of bluebells. Hutchinson’s Bank is a steep grassland valley-side, while Chapel Bank features enchanting ancient woodland, scrub and rolling chalk grassland. Between them, Threecorner Grove is a spectacular stand of ancient woodland.
History
Chalk grassland develops on shallow lime-rich chalky soils that are nutrient-poor and free-draining, and in London this internationally important habitat is predominantly found in the southern parts of the boroughs of Bromley, Croydon and Sutton.
This part of the North Downs was traditionally grazed by sheep until the 1950s, but changes occurred as new settlements such as New Addington and Forestdale developed. London Wildlife Trust began managing Chapel Bank in 1984 and Hutchinson’s Bank in 1987. Grazing was re-introduced to Hutchinson’s in 1995, and Chapel Bank in 2011, for the first time in half-a-century. Threecorner Grove was included into the reserves’ management in 1997, as was the verge alongside Featherbed Lane north of Hutchinson’s Bank.
Management
Short turf is essential for species unable to compete with coarse grasses and scrub; grazing now helps manage this. Other species need the mosaic of taller grasses, scrub and woodland. Ongoing management of scrubby vegetation is a key aim, and we encourage the growth of specific food plants for butterflies.
Status
Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation; Local Nature Reserve, Metropolitan Green Belt
Get involved
Volunteer
Contact Simon Hawkins via email shawkins@wildlondon.org.uk for more information.
Record your sightings
Species
- Common toad
- Common frog
- Small blue
- Dingy skipper
- Green hairstreak
- Brown argus
- Dark green fritillary
- White-letter hairstreak
- Yellow meadow ant
- European badger
- Rabbit
- Common shrew
- Pyramidal orchid
- Common spotted-orchid
- Kidney vetch
- Common twayblade
- Yellow archangel
- Bluebell
- Common whitebeam
- Wild cherry
- Common lizard
- Slow worm
Contact us
Wild cherries of Threecorner Grove
Threecorner Grove is a tiny pocket of ancient woodland, nestled between Hutchinson’s Bank and Chapel Bank. Cherries are more familiar as small trees, usually found in parks, gardens or woodland edges, but the wild cherries of Threecorner Grove in Croydon stand over 23 metres high. In spring they make a magnificent sight, covered with bright white blossom. In summer their fruits are eagerly devoured by thrushes and woodpigeons.