Nature at Temple Balsall

Temple Balsall has long been an area of great interest for its natural flora and fauna, and Edith Holden mentions visiting it in her Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady.

This natural history tour of Temple Balsall begins with the Breadwalk, the beautiful path leading from Fen End Road, past the pretty gardens of The Court, skirting the Churchyard and the Old Hall. It continues on down to the little bridge, crosses the brook and so on to the Cemetery.

Approximately thirty species of plant have been recorded along this path.

Close to the churchyard, a Martagon Lily (Lilium Martagon) can be seen, which seeded itself many years ago and which flowers annually.

This area of the Churchyard is also home to widespread drifts of snowdrops (Galanthus Nivalis), violets (Viola odorata, V. Riviniana, V. Reichenbachiana) and bluebells (Hyacynthoides Non-Scripta), interspersed with primroses (Primula Vulgaris). Ivy-leaved toadflax (Cymbalaria Muralis) is one of the plants draping itself over the wall. The tree on the left as you go down the sloping path to the west door of the church is a walnut (Juglans Regia). The area around the Church is managed for its wildlife interest on a regular basis, and the far end of the churchyard is kept as a "wildlife" area. Approximately 130 species of wild plants have been recorded in the churchyard as a whole.

Returning to the Breadwalk and continuing down to the little bridge over the brook, kingfisher can be seen, as well as wagtails and other birds which prefer this wet habitat. Dragonflies and damselflies can also be seen here in the summer.

From here the path rises to the cemetery, where over fifty species have been recorded.

Just before the cemetery gate, a public footpath crosses the Breadwalk and meanders through a copse to the right, leading out onto the road. A few yards along the B4101 towards Knowle the beautiful Cuttle Brook flows under the road bridge, where trout and chub are often seen. To the west is the 6.5 acre Temple Balsall Nature Reserve, managed by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. The Cuttlebrook flows into the river Blythe a little way to the east, through another nature reserve. The river itself is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for the whole of its length.

Beyond the nature reserve is an environmental study centre, located in the old walled garden of the Springfield Estate. Across the road from it is a seventeen acre field bought in 1999 by The Woodland Trust for the development of a millennium wood, where many species of saplings are now growing apace.

above top,
Primrose (Primula vulgaris);
middle,
Violet (Viola Riviniana);
bottom,
Marsh Marigiolds
(Caltha palustrinus)..
Photos: L C Davies

Barbara Davies

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust

The Living Churchyard Project

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The Foundation of Lady Katherine Leveson | St Mary's Church
Supported and Residential Care of older people | The Leveson Centre
Lady Katherine Leveson CE Primary School | Temple Balsall Heritage