Our work at Maidenhead and Cookham Commons

Trees with no leaves at Pinkneys Drive at Maidenhead and Cookham Commons, Berkshire — Pinkneys Drive, Maidenhead and Cookham Commons | © National Trust Images/Rachael Warren

Covering more than 800 acres of woodland, grassland and wetland habitats, Maidenhead and Cookham Commons provide an important home for wildlife and valuable green spaces for local communities. Throughout the year, our ranger team works to protect, restore and improve these landscapes, helping nature thrive while ensuring the Commons remain accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Working closely with volunteers, local communities, commoners, conservation organisations and local authorities, we deliver a wide range of conservation projects, from habitat restoration and species monitoring to traditional woodland and grassland management. Together, these partnerships help us care for the Commons in ways that benefit both people and nature. This work supports the National Trust's vision of People and Nature Thriving, creating healthier, more resilient landscapes where wildlife can flourish and people can deepen their connection to nature.

Our work at Maidenhead Commons

Ride management at Maidenhead Thicket

At Maidenhead Thicket, we manage woodland rides and glades to create a more diverse and wildlife-rich woodland. By allowing more sunlight to reach the woodland floor, these open spaces encourage the growth of wildflowers, shrubs and other plants that provide food and shelter for a wide range of species.

The rides and glades act as important wildlife corridors, helping animals move through the woodland and connecting different habitats. These sunny areas are particularly valuable for butterflies, bees and other insects, which in turn provide food for birds, bats and other wildlife. Through ongoing ride management, we are creating a more resilient woodland that supports greater biodiversity across the site.

Working together at North Town Moor

Working in partnership with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, we help care for North Town Moor as an important green space for both people and wildlife. The site provides opportunities for recreation, exercise and access to nature, while also supporting a range of habitats and species. Collaboration is central to the management of North Town Moor. Community groups such as 'Make Space for Life' play an active role in caring for the pond and community orchard.

Restoring Winter Hill Road Woods

Winter Hill Road Woods has been transformed from a former oak and larch plantation into a more diverse and wildlife-rich woodland. Through the removal of non-native larch and the careful management of mature oak trees, we are restoring habitats that support a wide range of species.

Many of the woodland'sveteran and mature oaks have undergone halo release, giving them more light and space to thrive. This work is helping to increase the availability of deadwood habitat across the site, supporting specialist species such as the nationally scarce oak jewel beetle and contributing to a healthier, more resilient woodland ecosystem.

Traditional Coppice management

Much of the woodland at Winter Hill Road Woods are managed as traditional hazel coppice, a centuries-old form of sustainable woodland management. By cutting hazel on a regular cycle, new stems regenerate from the woodland floor, creating a continually renewing habitat and a sustainable source of timber.

Coppicing creates habitats at different stages of growth, allowing more light to reach the woodland floor and encouraging a diversity of plants and wildlife. Woodland flowers such as bluebells and violets thrive in recently coppiced areas, while the varied structure provides valuable habitat for insects, birds and small mammals.

The hazel poles produced through coppicing are put to good use. They are used in conservation projects such as dead hedging and traditional hedge laying, helping us manage habitats sustainably using materials grown and harvested on the Commons themselves.

Buzzard in Southern Wood at Quarry Bank Mill, Cheshire — Common buzzard | © National Trust Images/Derek Hatton

Our work at Cookham Commons

Looking after the SSSI at Cock Marsh

Cock Marsh is one of the most important places for wildlife on Maidenhead and Cookham Commons. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is home to rare grassland habitats, important ponds and a wide variety of plants and animals. Caring for Cock Marsh can be challenging, as the site is regularly affected by flooding. We carry out scrub clearance to keep a balance between open grassland, wetland and areas of scrub for wildlife.

Grazing is also an important part of how we look after the site. Working alongside commoners, grazing helps keep the grassland in good condition and creates space for wildflowers to grow. We also carry out seasonal ragwort removal in grazing areas to help protect livestock. Because water levels can change throughout the year, much of our work must be carefully planned around the conditions on the marsh.

Conserving Chalk Grassland at Winter Hill

Winter Hill's chalk grassland is rich in wildflowers and buzzing with insect life during the summer months, it is a rare landscape that needs careful management to survive.

Our work focuses on keeping the grassland open by removing encroaching scrub, bramble and young trees. We also remove cut material from the site to help maintain the conditions that allow a wide range of wildflowers to flourish. By caring for this special habitat, we are helping to protect its unique wildlife and preserve the character of Winter Hill for future generations.

Caring for the White Brook at Widbrook Common

At Widbrook Common, we work with the Friends of Maidenhead Waterways to help look after the White Brook and keep it flowing for wildlife and people to enjoy.

One of the biggest challenges is a fast-growing water plant called Azolla, which can quickly cover the surface of the brook. If left unchecked, it can stop light reaching the water and make it harder for wildlife to thrive.

To control Azolla, we use a small weevil that feeds on the plant. The weevils help reduce the Azolla naturally, without harming other plants or animals, making it an effective and environmentally friendly solution.

Monitoring Wildlife and Heritage

Understanding how the Commons are changing over time is an important part of our work. With the support of dedicated volunteers, we carry out regular butterfly surveys at Winter Hill, Cock Marsh and Maidenhead Thicket, helping us monitor the health of local wildlife populations and identify long-term trends.

Alongside these surveys, we carry out a range of nature and archaeology monitoring across the Commons. The information collected helps us understand how habitats, species and historic features are responding to management, allowing us to make informed decisions about future conservation work.

By regularly monitoring the landscapes in our care, we can ensure that our management is delivering the best possible outcomes for both nature and people.