Withymead Nature Reserve

Withymead Nature Reserve, Little Meadow Nature Reserve and Tara's Piece are owned and managed by the Anne Carpmael Charitable Trust.

Anne Carpmael

Anne Carpmael lived at Withymead for nearly 60 years. A keen naturalist, she provided a habitat that encouraged birds, both native and migratory. Prior to her death in 2003 a Charitable Trust (No 1102152) was formed to preserve the house and it’s riverside land. These 22 acres now form the Withymead Nature Reserve. For more information about Anne Carpmael and the foundation of the trust, click on this link

Little Meadow and Tara's Piece

In addition to the Withymead Nature Reserve the Anne Carpmael Charitable Trust also runs two smaller nature reserves in the local area: Little Meadow Nature Reserve, a mile to the south of Goring on the River Thames, and Tara's Piece, also bordering the river, which lies a 50m to the south of Withymead. Click on the following links to see more information on these reserves:

• Little Meadow
• Tara's Piece

We aim to boost local wildlife directly, with practical nature conservation; and indirectly, by inspiring people to enjoy nature and join in our quest to protect it.

We have a Study Centre (see panel on the right) in which we run events and training courses for the public, and there is also a special area of the reserve set aside for the Withymead Forest School. For more information about the Forest School, click on this link

Samuel Saunders

Withymead is also home to an important part of our industrial heritage. Sam Saunders was born at The Swan in Streatley in 1857. He built boats by the river Thames like his father and grandfather before him. He established the Springfield Works here at Withymead in 1870. Remnants of the slipways and boat sheds can be seen within the reserve. Look at our 'History' page or click on this link to learn more about Sam Saunders and his boat building works.

Volunteers

An enthusiastic band of volunteers bring a diverse range of skills and experience to help us; carrying out practical works, such as reed cutting, leaf clearance and working on the various structures around the reserve; helping with surveys and monitoring, water quality, species recording and so on.

Volunteers also help with administrative tasks, producing newsletters, helping on the website and most importantly - fund-raising...

Contact us to become part of our team and help make a real difference for our natural heritage.