Hanley Dingle nature reserve by Dominique Cragg
Protecting Worcestershire’s Hidden Rainforests
In late 2019, we were presented with a rare opportunity to secure 16 hectares (39.5 acres) of land adjoining our Hanley Dingle nature reserve - a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in the far northwest of the county. With its ancient lime woodlands, rich bryophyte and lichen flora, streams and waterfalls, Hanley Dingle is one of Worcestershire’s most important refuges for wildlife.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our members and supporters, along with funding from The Rowlands Trust, The Saintbury Trust, Severn Waste Services and other charitable trusts, we completed fundraising for the purchase in April 2025. Special thanks also go to the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, who made the opportunity possible by initially purchasing the land on our behalf through their loans for land scheme.
With the site now secured, we’re turning our attention to carefully planning the next phase. Over the coming years, we’ll be working with partners to shape a long-term approach to restoration and habitat enhancement - ensuring this land flourishes alongside Hanley Dingle for many generations to come.
This is the kingdom of the mosses, the ferns and the liverworts and that, combined with the ancient woodland, gives rise to a huge amount of biodiversity which calls this place its home.Western reserves officer, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust
A biodiversity haven
Hanley Dingle is possibly the county’s last woodland wilderness, relatively small but incredibly precious. This 22 hectare ancient woodland, dominated by large- and small-leaved lime trees, supports a myriad of flora and fauna. Within its ancient and undisturbed habitat thrives an intricately woven ecosystem, including rare species like the ash-black slug, the land caddisfly and a woodlouse new to the UK.
Securing Hanley Dingle’s future
The purchase of this land will not only safeguard the existing habitat but also enhance its connectivity. Brett Westwood, BBC radio presenter, author and naturalist, emphasises the importance of this land purchase:
"Hanley Dingle is the crowning glory of the Teme Valley in west Worcestershire. Its native lime trees towering over steep-sided ravines, waterfalls and tufa-rich springs evoke the spirit of the wildwood more than any place in the county I know. And the bigger, the better! The resilience of this precious place will be boosted enormously by the acquisition of adjoining land to allow special plants and animals to extend their range and to let this unique woodland, which has been around for hundreds if not thousands of years, to breathe and to prosper for generations – this is conservation foresight at its very best."
this is conservation foresight at its very bestBBC radio presenter, author and naturalist
Temperate rainforests
Temperate rainforests are characterised by their cool, moist climates and are home to diverse plant and animal life. These ecosystems are incredibly rich in biodiversity, providing habitats for species that thrive in humid conditions. The mosses, ferns, liverworts and lichens found here are crucial for the health of the forest, contributing to nutrient cycling and water retention. Protecting and expanding these rainforests is essential for preserving their unique ecological functions and the diverse array of species they support.
Future restoration and habitat creation
Our restoration plans for the new land reflect an understanding of the ecological importance of woodlands and the urgent need to preserve and extend these vital habitats. Most of the new land will transition into woodland, with the planting of large- and small-leaved lime trees intermixed with oak, field maple and wild service trees. This new woodland creation will bridge the northern edges of Hanley Dingle to the willow-lined banks of Shortwood Brook in the south.
The four fields stretching from north to south present a remarkable opportunity. We have a chance not only to buffer and expand Hanley Dingle but to also to create a mosaic of new habitats, including high forest patches, open woodlands, meadows, glades and scrublands. These diverse habitats are essential for supporting a wide array of wildlife from butterflies and birds to amphibians and dragonflies.
Key species to be conserved and encouraged
Large- and small-leaved lime trees: emblematic of Hanley Dingle, these ancient trees support a unique ecosystem, providing habitat for numerous species of insects, birds and fungi.
White admiral butterfly: these striking butterflies will benefit from the creation of open woodlands with glades and rides, finding nectar sources and breeding grounds.
Woodland birds: blackcaps, chiffchaffs and garden warblers will benefit from the creation of open woodlands with glades and rides, finding nesting sites, insects for food and suitable habitats for breeding.
Land caddisfly: known for their unusual land-based lifecycle, this rare species will find a more stable habitat in the expanded reserve, helping to preserve their population.
A national priority
The landmark State of Nature 2023 report shows that nature is continuing to decline at an alarming rate across the UK, which is already one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Worcestershire Wildlife Trust has worked tirelessly since we were formed over 55 years ago to protect important sites for wildlife. We now own or manage over 3,100 acres of land and provide advice to land managers across a further 100,000 acres. To reverse the decline in nature, we must do more by acquiring, protecting and restoring land for wildlife.
In line with our commitment to preserving 30% of land for nature by 2030, the Trust is delighted to be able to purchase this land next to the nationally important Hanley Dingle nature reserve. This is a rare opportunity to extend and safeguard Hanley Dingle for generations to come.
With your help we have raised £470,000 through a combination of public appeals, corporate pledges and charitable grants.
Thank you for supporting this vital project. Together, we can create new habitats and protect Worcestershire’s rainforest, ensuring its unique biodiversity thrives for generations to come.
Hanley Dingle nature reserve by Becky Bradshaw King
Ash-black slug by Dominique Cragg
Land caddis by Brett Westwood
