Goldicote Cutting

Common spotted orchid

Goldicote Cutting

Unfortunately, this reserve is currently inaccessible due to land slippage of the old railway bank and deterioration of the bridge. It is not safe to visit.

A disused railway line cutting with limestone-loving flowers

Location

4km south of Stratford, in New Road off the A422 Banbury Road
Stratford-on-Avon
Warwickshire
CV37 7NP

OS Map Reference

SP 247 505
A static map of Goldicote Cutting

Know before you go

Size
3 hectares
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Parking information

Limited parking at the junction of the A422 and New Road
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Grazing animals

No
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Walking trails

Please note: due to the steepness of the cutting and how wet the site is, we do not advise going down into the cutting. The cutting is a great place for wildlife but not suitable for public access.

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Access

Not accessible. 

Dogs

image/svg+xmlNo dogs permitted

Assistance dogs only

When to visit

Opening times

Currently closed

Best time to visit

Not advised

About the reserve

Please note: due to the steepness of the cutting, how wet the site is, and current issues with land slippage of the old railway bank and deterioration of the bridge it is unsafe to visit. The cutting is place for wildlife but not suitable for public access. 

This site contains a disused railway line cutting through lias limestone. It has a rich limestone flora with species such as spotted and bee orchids. 

Towards the western end of the cutting, limestone grassland produces a flourish of wild flowers, including bee orchid, hairy violet and yellow-wort. Many species of butterfly favour this site including the diminutive dingy and grizzled skippers. A colony of white-letter hairstreaks prosper on the elms. The reserve also offers one of the last remaining Warwickshire haunts to the inappropriately named common lizard, which can occasionally be seen sunbathing amongst the bricks.  Much of the cutting is very wet with areas of marshy ground prevalent at the eastern end of the reserve.

A fine population of common spotted-orchid thrives here with impressive stands of giant horsetail. Willowherb, water figwort and common fleabane shade a stream where many scarce invertebrates, including an uncommon solider fly, relish the damp conditions.  

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Contact us

Karl Curtis
Contact number: 024 7630 2912
Contact email: enquiries@wkwt.org.uk

Location map