The Ewelme Watercress Beds Local Nature Reserve (LNR) is an Heritage Site, the majority of which is open to the public. 

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The Ewelme Brook is a globally rare habitat being one of only 283 chalk streams in the world. Chalk streams are good places for growing watercress as they are fed from natural underground aquifers meaning they have clean, clear water and stable water temperatures and flow.

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The beds were major producers of watercress in the late 19th and 20th Century.          Commercial production ceased in 1988 and the beds are now maintained by volunteers. 

The site, which is owned by the Chiltern Society covers 6.5 acres (2.6 ha) of which 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) are watercress beds.

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Ewelme is an historic village nestled on the western edge of the Chiltern Hills.  It is located in the Chiltern area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, 3 miles (4.8 km) northeast of Wallingford and 12 miles (19.3 km) south of Oxford.

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