Three new trails showcasing Braywick Nature Reserve’s woodland, grassland and waterway habitats have been officially opened by the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead.
The waymarked Kingfisher, Butterfly and Woodpecker routes have interpretive signs around them explaining more to visitors about the habitats and the wildlife that call them home.
They were opened today by Councillor Gurpreet Bhangra, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, Parks & Countryside, who cut an ivy vine to mark the opening, and artist and illustrator Stu McLellan, who created the signs.
Stu has also created new welcome signs at each of the entrances to the 40-acre reserve in Maidenhead, with background information, a map of the routes and some of their key features, and the time they take to walk.
Each sign has a QR code linking to Braywick Nature Centre’s dedicated page on the RBWM Together website which features further information about the centre and its upcoming events.
Councillor Bhangra said: “These trails are a valuable addition to the reserve, helping our visitors, particularly those who aren’t regular users, to make the most of their visit to Braywick and experience everything it has to offer. They guide visitors through a variety of habitats, including open meadows, woodland, standing and flowing water and the reserve’s arboretum, which features established trees dating from the Victorian era.
“Stu’s creative signs provide valuable information along the way, and I’d like to pass on our thanks to him for his hard work and dedication in coming up with these designs which fit perfectly within this natural setting and really add to the visitor experience.
“I’d encourage as many people as possible to come along and try one, or even all of the trails, and experience this unique natural environment and the wildlife we’re so fortunate to have.”
Stu, who also designed the signs at Battlemead Common and Ockwells Park, added: “It’s been an honour to work on these projects with the Royal Borough and its charity partner Groundwork South, building awareness about these beautiful spaces and their importance within the wider context of conservation, the climate crisis and our relationship with, and dependence on, the living world.
“There is a deep reservoir of wonder in these places, and I hope these illustrations share that with visitors to Braywick.”
For more information about Braywick Nature Centre and the reserve, visit https://rbwmtogether.rbwm.gov.uk/bnc.