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)