Sands Bank

Chiltern Gentian
© Julia Carey

Sands Bank is an area of woodland and chalk grassland on the edge of High Wycombe. A large part of the wood was damaged during storms in 1990 and has been re-planted with Oak, Ash, Cherry, Lime and Beech.

Chiltern Gentian is one of the wild flowers that can be found at Sands Bank. It is a nationally scarce species that is only found on chalk grassland and Buckinghamshire is one of the few places where it is found.

Sheep are allowed to graze on the grassland to help prevent the encroachment of trees and shrubs from the adjacent woodland. The local Rabbit population also helps!

Sands Bank is managed by Wycombe District Council’s Ranger Service and is leased from the West Wycombe Estate.

Some of the species that can be found in the woodland are:

• Oak
• Ash
• Wild Cherry
• Bluebell
• Wood Anemone
• Great Spotted Woodpecker 
• Fox 

Some of the species that can be found in the chalk grassland are:

Rabbit
© Richard Bowsher

• Chiltern Gentian
• Common Spotted-orchid
• Pyramidal Orchid
• Wild Thyme
• Marbled White Butterfly 
• Common blue Butterfly

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

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