| A small dell with both neutral and
chalk grassland and surrounded by a variety of trees and shrubs.
Chorleywood Dell is part of the Chorleywood House Estate. The reserve spans a small dry valley on the south west slope of the main valley of the River Chess. A variety of habitats occur within a small area. The tall grassland benefits a range of insects and spiders, particularly noticeable being the damselflies and froghoppers. Where the grass is kept short by mowing, cowslip, birdsfoot trefoil hairy violet, germander speedwell, field scabious, agrimony, greater and common knapweed have a chance to flourish. Butterflies have been observed feeding on all these plants when in flower. The richness of flora benefits butterflies such as the common blue. The variety of berried shrubs - dog rose, elder, dogwood, spindle, holly and hawthorn - attract birds in the autumn, and a number of species have been recorded feeding on the,. Green woodpeckers are frequently seen feeding in the reserve. The colonies of meadow ants, a feature of old grassland, also attract fauna - badgers have been seen scratching some of the hills. The reserve is leased from Three Rivers District Council. |
 The management regime is designed to encourage diversity of species.
This includes cutting the meadows to prevent
scrub encroachment. |
| Visiting |
 The reserve is located in the Chorleywood House Estate, which
lies on the north side of the A404, opposite Chorleywood Common. Access is
through the park gates, and cars may be taken across the parkland to the
parking bays on the far side. Walk to the right down the track and the reserve
is on the right after 100m. |
 Public transport includes Chorleywood Railway Station and bus
stops in Chorleywood. |
 Accessible at all times. |
 Spring/Summer |
 Wellingtons may be necessary. |