Oughtonhead Common

Oughtonhead Common is a 17.4 hectare Local Nature Reserve in the Westmill district of Hitchin, Hertfordshire. It is owned and managed by North Hertfordshire District Council.[1] and home to the Oughtonhead Common nature reserve.[2]

The River Oughton flows along the edge of the site with the Common lying on its floodplain. A layer of sedge and wood peat up to a metre thick underlies the floodplain.[3] The Common supports a wide variety of wildlife habitats. It is grazed by English Longhorn cattle, and there is a football pitch.[4] The Friends of Oughtonhead Common assist with maintaining the site.[5] It is part of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.[6] In 2022, Oughtonhead Common was awarded a Green Flag for the seventh consecutive year.[7]

  1. ^ "Map of Oughtonhead Common". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Archived from the original on 8 February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  2. ^ "Oughtonhead Common". www.north-herts.gov.uk. North Herts Council. Archived from the original on 29 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  3. ^ Hopson, P. M.; Aldiss, D T; Smith, A (1996). Geology of the country around Hitchin. London: HMSO. p. 110. ISBN 978-0-11-884518-2.
  4. ^ "Oughtonhead Common". North Hertfordshire District Council. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  5. ^ "Oughtonhead Common Local Nature Reserve leaflet" (PDF). North Hertfordshire District Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  6. ^ "Oughtonhead Common". Chilterns Conservation Board. Archived from the original on 8 February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  7. ^ Suslak, Anne (2 August 2022). "North Herts celebrates Love Parks Week with five Green Flag awards". The Comet. Archived from the original on 26 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.