Castle Bottom is a British national nature reserve located near Yateley in Hampshire. It is part of Castle Bottom to Yateley and Hawley Commons, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest,[1] and Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area for the conservation of wild birds[2]
The nature reserve is situated south-west of Yateley and is on the north-west border of Blackbushe Airport. The reserve is a small lowland site of around 29 hectares (72 acres), containing two valley mires, with heathland and woodland habitats.[3][4] Each of the valley mires has an acidic stream running through them.[5]
There is evidence that the area was used by humans as far back as 1800 to 550 BC, with discovery of some ancient burial mounds.[6] There is evidence of banks being built in the Western Mire, but it is not possible to date exactly when they were built[7]
The land was owned by the Bramshill estate until 1952, when it was sold.[7] The land was last owned by a manufacturer of quarry equipment before the council purchased the site.[7]
In the early 20th century two cottages were built on the north border of the reserve. Used until the 1960s, they are now ruins.[6]
The nature reserve has the following fauna:[8][9][10][11][12][13][14]
The nature reserve has the following flora:[10][15]