Ivinghoe Beacon

Ivinghoe Beacon
© Kim Martin

Ivinghoe Beacon is on the edge of the Chiltern Hills and within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Beacon and the hills surrounding it comprise one of the largest areas of biologically rich chalk grassland surviving in the Chilterns.

It is at the end of The Ridgeway, an ancient track that runs from Overton Hill near Avebury to the Beacon.

There are many wild flowers that are associated with chalk grassland. At Ivinghoe Beacon you can find Yellow-wort, Wild thyme, Cowslip and several species of orchid.

The extent of chalk grassland has suffered a sharp decline in the last 50 years. There are no firm figures, but in England 20% may have been lost, mostly through changing farming practices.

Yellow Wort
© Richard Bowsher

Ivinghoe Beacon is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is owned by the National Trust.

• Cowslip
• Black Knapweed
• Yellow-wort
• Wild Thyme
• Common Spotted-orchid
• Marbled White Butterfly 
• Chalk-hill Blue Butterfly
• Rabbit

For more information call 01296 696012 or email erc@buckscc.gov.uk

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