| This reserve is situated in quiet and typically English countryside near Tewin. Wildlife abounds
particularly butterflies, birds and badgers.
Tewin Orchard represents an almost extinct feature
of the English countryside: that of small village orchards with varied and
often local fruit trees. Today not only is the orchard good for apples and
pears but many forms of wildlife, including the rare white letter
hairstreak butterfly. In autumn and winter the windfall apples attract large
numbers of redwings, fieldfares and blackbirds. Other birds using the orchard
include yellowhammers, greenfinches. linnets and goldfinches.
In contrast, Hopkyns Wood is a shady oak and
hornbeam wood with ground flora
dominated by bluebells and garlic-smelling rasmons in springtime. Its real
secret is the old and complex badger sett.
The meadow adjoining the wood and leading up to a mammal watching hide
(see below) also
belongs to the Trust and is used by badgers and other animals, providing
a safe 'corridor' from the wood to the orchard and somewhere for them to forage
for food.
The reserve's mammal watching hide
is available for bookings throughout the summer months, through the Herts and Middlesex
Badger Group.
Tewin Orchard is leased to the Trust by the
RSPB. Hopkyns Wood was given to the Trust by Dr J Hopkyns in 1971. |
 The Wildlife Trust is restoring the orchard by planting traditional
fruit varieties. The orchard was planted in 1933 with varieties such as Egremont
Russet and Laxtone Fortune, and at one time the fruit was auctioned on the
strength of the blossom.
A leaflet is available here |
| Visiting |
 On the B1000 from Welwyn Garden City to Hertford, turn left through
Tewin village. Carry on towards Burnham Green, passing Tewin cricket ground
on the left. Immediately after a bend in the road, take a small right turning
into Tewin Orchard, parking just inside the reserve gate entrance. |
 No nearby public transport. |
 Accessible at all times. |
 Spring/ summer and autumn apple sale. |
 Good walking shoes recommended. |