Matchams House Slope

Size : 3.5 hectares

Ownership: ARC

Restrictions: Open Access Land, please keep dogs on a lead and keep to main paths. Horse riding and cycling is only permitted on statutory
bridleways. No camping or fires.

Access: Matchams Close, Christchurch

Grid ref: SU 13133 01400

Matchams House slope is a small reserve but an excellent spot to see the rare sand lizard.

The Reserve

Matchams House slope was purchased by Amphibian and Reptile Conservation in 1998.
It consists of dry heath and deciduous woodland.

What to see

The lower south east aspect of the slope is mainly dry heath with patchy exposed sandy soil, making this an ideal area for sand lizards. Five out of the six native reptile species can be found here the only one being absent is the smooth snake. These are the sand lizard, the common lizard, the slow-worm, the grass snake and the adder.

As the slope grades north and west the main habitat becomes scrub and mixed deciduous woodland.

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Blackheath

As well as being an important site for reptiles, several heathland specialist invertebrate species are found on the site.
Broxhead Common

A rich mosaic of heathland, acid grassland and secondary woodland, which supports sand lizards, rare heathland birds, and nationally rare invertebrate species.
Canford Cliffs

Canford Cliffs a small reserve in a stunning coastal location, with the wall lizard being a very prominent species.
Chatley Heath

Nestled within the Thames Basin Heaths SPA, Chatley Heath is an internationally important area for birds, and provides a haven for our native reptiles, which can also now expand into the newly restored adjacent heathland at Ockham Common.
Churt Valley and Plateau

Part of a landscape network of connected sites managed by organisations including Waverley Council and the National Trust this site supports all six native reptile species after successful reintroductions of sand lizards and smooth snakes.
Clouds Hill

Clouds Hill, located within the Bovington tank training area has now become the ideal environment for sand lizard breeding.
Corfe Bluff

Corfe Bluff is a small piece of heath hidden away in the beautiful surroundings of the Purbecks.
Corfe Hills East

Corfe Hills East is a small block of heath located to the north Poole with a mix of dry heath and Molinia grassland.
Cranes Moor Bog

Cranes Moor Bog is a medium sized site, unique amongst ARC’s reserves.
Creech Heath

An excellent large piece of heath located in a stunning surrounding over looked by the Purbeck Ridge. A great place to visit to find some truly rare heathland species.