The Pang Valley from Hampstead Norreys to Pangbourne and forming a wider area in the east to include the Sulham Stream. The extent is largely dictated by the location of alluvium and river gravels.
Joint Character Area: Mainly the Thames Basin Heaths. The north-western area is in the Berkshire and Marlborough Downs, and the north eastern area, at Pangbourne, is in the Chilterns
Geology: Alluvium and River Terrace sands and gravels
Topography: Flat riverside land
Biodiversity
Chalk River: The Pang is a chalk river.
Wet grassland: There are extensive areas of wet grassland habitat along the Pang valley especially between Tidmarsh and Stratford Dingley
Lowland Meadow: The main areas of lowland meadow habitat are found in the Sulham and Tidmarsh Woods and Meadows SSSI including areas at Moor Copse Nature Reserve. Some of this grassland is very acidic in nature. There are patches of lowland meadow habitat amongst wet grassland elsewhere in the valley.
Wet Woodland: there are numerous areas of wet woodland along the valley including the woodland parts of the Sulham and Tidmarsh Woods and Meadows SSSI which includes Moor Copse Nature Reserve.
Access: There are a number of footpaths in the east and Moor Copse is a nature reserve. In the west access is limited to a few tracks in the valley.
Targets and Opportunities: River management, restoration and protection, management and re-creation of lowland meadow and wet grassland, management of woodland including wet woodland. Significant areas are in Environmental Stewardship with landowners include Elling Farm and Englefield Estate. The recent extension to the BBOWT Moor Copse Nature Reserve provides significant opportunities for extending wet grassland and lowland meadow habitat.
Contact the West Berkshire Farming and Countryside Project for free advice in this area:
Sally Wallington
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07932 322163