About the reserve

Hutchinson’s Bank is a steep grassland valley-side on the edge of London, which together with adjacent nature reserves Threecorner Grove and Chapel Bank, is a great place to find orchids and other rare plants, blankets of bluebells, and a hugely diverse range of butterflies. Pyramidal, common spotted and man orchid are among the flora, with grasses including kidney vetch and greater yellow-rattle. More than 100 species of moth and 28 species of butterfly can be seen here.

History

Chalk grassland develops on shallow lime-rich chalky soils that are nutrient-poor and free-draining, and in London this internationally important habitat is predominantly found in the southern parts of the boroughs of Bromley, Croydon and Sutton.

This part of the North Downs was traditionally grazed by sheep until the 1950s, but changes occurred as new settlements such as New Addington and Forestdale developed. London Wildlife Trust began managing nearby reserve Chapel Bank in 1984 and then Hutchinson’s Bank in 1987. Grazing was re-introduced to Hutchinson’s in 1995, and Chapel Bank in 2011, for the first time in half-a-century. Nature reserve Threecorner Grove was included into the reserves’ management in 1997, as was the verge alongside Featherbed Lane north of Hutchinson’s Bank.

Status

Part Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation, Local Nature Reserve, Metropolitan Green Belt

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