Ecology at Woodhall Spa

The Hotchkin Course is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is a precious part of the disappearing heathland habitats in England.

As a SSSI, we work together with Natural England , the statutory service responsible for looking after England's wide variety of wild plants and animals, its biodiversity and natural features, to ensure the preservation of the Hotchkin's heathland character.

The management programme is an ongoing project with restoration work scheduled over many years.

From the golfing perspective, this is an extremely positive programme, as by restoring the heathland and gradually minimising the course of unfavourable species, the course is slowly returning to its orignial heathland state.

Through managing non-playing areas, we are creating views and vistas not seen for many years and uncovering bunkers and mounding previously disguised by bracken and gorse. 

This ensures that the Hotchkin course is preserved as the original architects intended and continues to support the specialised fauna and flora, some of which depend on this habitat to survive.