The reserve lies on a steep slope but access around it is straight forward. Visitors are asked to close the gate when departing.
The reserve gains its unusual name from the 1843 Tithe map which shows several adjacent fields in the valley below called Pool Ellocks; the name is believed to mean 'pool of the herons'. When gifting the land to the Trust, Miss Rudd particularly asked that the reserve be known as Pool Ellocks to retain this old name in regular use, although there is no longer any pool as such nearby.
The site is on a steep, sheltered slope, facing south-east, and is underlain by Old Red Sandstone rock (Brownstone series). It has clearly been an orchard for some time, as there are some large old apple trees present. Near the northern boundary, laurel bushes occur, as a result of past planting. Several old box trees along the south-east boundary may also have been introduced. The central area has been planted with standard cider apples and perry pears of traditional varieties, as part of a plan to recreate a typical old-style Herefordshire orchard here. A picturesquely derelict stone barn forms an attractive feature in the centre of the orchard. Apart from the fruit trees, thickets of raspberries and bramble provide nectar and pollen over a long period in summer for a variety of pollinating insects. Many rabbits inhabit the site at the present time and their burrows are plentiful among the extensive nettle beds.
Old, unsprayed orchards form a typical but vanishing Herefordshire habitat and current management is aimed at recreating such an orchard at Pool Ellocks. New fruit tree plantings include cider apples; Bergere, Early David, Hagloe Crab, Osier, Sainte Laurant, and perry pears; Bartestree Squash, Brinarl, Greggs Pit, Rock, Stainton Squash, Teegar (a planting plan can be obtained from the Trust Office). There are also quince trees and a rare whitty pear.
Apart from maintenance of the fruit trees, management involves annually mowing the grassland. Periodic cutting back of several old goat willows aims to create a coppice rotation, maximising the amount of nectar and pollen available to pollinating insects. Grassland restoration to reduce the extent of nettles and increase wildflower diversity is an ongoing project.
A gift to the Trust in 1983 from Miss Rudd.