Matchams House Slope

Ownership: ARC

Designation: n/a

Restrictions: Open Access Land, please keep dogs on a lead.

Access: Matchams Close

Grid ref: SU 13133 01400

The Reserve

Matchams slope was purchased by Amphibian and Reptile Conservation in 1998. It consists of 3.5 hectares of dry heath and deciduous woodland. 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. As the slope grades north and west the main habitat becomes scrub and mixed deciduous woodland.

Species you might spot:

Reptiles.

Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis)

Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara)

Slow-worm (Anguis fragilis)

Grass Snake (Natrix natrix)

Adder (Vipera berus)

Latest

Monitoring Dragons - Monitro’r dreigiau

New project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, aims to establish a network of long term amphibian and reptile monitoring sites across southern Wales.
Dorset reserves
Hampshire reserves
Recovering the pool frog – England’s rarest amphibian

The Pool Frog Recovery Project is the latest stage in ARC’s long-term work to reintroduce the northern pool frog to England.

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 introduced 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.