Aubrey Buxton
22ac/9ha
Grid ref: TL 521 264
Updated 31/12/2023.
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Originally the pleasure park to Norman House, this is high woodland interspersed with grassland, on a sandy/gravel soil. It has three man-made ponds, probably about 200 years old, and three further ponds dug in the 1950s when it was a wildlife park. It was donated to Essex Wildlife Trust by Lord and the late Lady Buxton in 1976.
Cowslip, wild strawberry and common spotted orchid grow in the meadows, along with the uncommon lesser lady's mantle and adderstongue fern. In good years the meadows are alive with butterflies.
The many bird species include nuthatch, all three species of woodpecker and a number of summer visitors. There is a rookery.
Black poplars have been planted to replace storm-damaged trees. This species formerly played an important part in country life, being planted to give shade to cattle and to provide firewood and charcoal for the home.
Visiting
Just north of Stansted: turn east off the B1383 (Bishop's Stortford–Stansted–Cambridge) on to Alsa Street. The entrance is 200m up a private road (with white gateposts at its end) on the right.
Hourly bus service along B1383: get off at Alsa Lodge turning.
Accessible at all times.
Spring or summer.
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