There are a wide variety of habitats including woodland, park land and natural grazing meadows at Thornham.

The canopy of the woodland is dominated by oak and ash, but in Victorian times more exotic species such as sweet chestnut, lime and turkey oak were introduced.

There is something of interest and enjoyment for both amateur and professional naturalists throughout the year.  Great spotted, lesser spotted and green woodpeckers can be seen regularly as well as nuthatches, kestrels, little, tawny and barn owls.  A variety of migrant birds visit during the summer months.  There are great crested newts in the ponds and roe and muntjac deer in the woods, also there are butterflies such as peacocks, purple hairstreak's and red admirals.

The meadows along the River Dove have been untouched by fertilisers or sprays and are at their most colourful in spring.

Thornham Magna churchyard is managed as a conservation area for wildelfe and is home to slow worms, cowslips, ox-eyed daisies and primroses which grow in profusion.