Monks Wood Nature Reserve

Monks Wood is an ancient woodland National Nature Reserve in Cambridgeshire, managed by Natural England and described as one of Britain's best-known lowland woods. The wood lies between Sawtry and Alconbury, immediately north of the B1090, and is open to the public for free at all times.

Families can explore rides through ancient oak, ash and field maple woodland with a hazel, blackthorn, dogwood and sallow understorey. The ground flora includes classic ancient-woodland species such as bluebell, wood anemone and yellow archangel, and the neutral grassland rides support over 400 species of plants, including rarities such as greater butterfly orchid, violet helleborine and crested cow-wheat.

Monks Wood is famous for its insects: over 1,000 species of beetle have been recorded, and the rare black hairstreak butterfly was first recorded in Britain here in 1828 and can still be seen today. Woodland birds include woodcock, tawny owl and lesser spotted woodpecker, while red kite and buzzard breed regularly; badger, hare, fox and muntjac deer are often seen.

There is a small car parking bay on the B1090 and two more bays on the minor road from Sawtry to Woodwalton. Buses from Huntingdon and Sawtry stop at Alconbury Hill, about a mile from the reserve, and the nearest railway station is Huntingdon, six miles away. Dogs must be kept on a lead. There are no visitor facilities, toilets or cafe on site, so families should bring drinks and snacks. Spring brings carpets of bluebells, and summer offers some of the best butterfly watching in eastern England.