Further information

Habitats: The Green covers just less than 76 acres of unenclosed lowland grassland with groups of scrub and a series of ponds lying along the eastern and southern boundaries. There are also hawthorn and bramble thickets around the Green.

Management: Hales Green is one of the few commons that is still managed by cattle grazed by commoners. This maintains the visual features of the Green and also provides an important contribution to the local economy and is essential to the maintenance of a neighbouring agricultural holding.

Flora and fauna: Hales Green is an important wildlife resevoir, a recent survey recording over 116 species of plants. The hawthorn and bramble thickets sustain a healthy insect population, while two unusual plants present on the Green are Spiny restharrow (Ononis spinosa), Bee Orchids and stemless thistle (Cirsium acaulon). The shallow ponds are often frequented by shellduck among other species of duck and wader.

Look out for:

Spring: Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

Summer: Spiny Restharrow (Ononis spinosa), Bee Orchids (Ophrys apifera)

Autumn: Stemless Thistle (Carlina acaulis)

Winter: Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna)