East

 Tyrells Wood,

Size:

16.75 ha (41.39 acres)

Near:

Pulham Market, Norfolk

Grid ref:

TM206897

OS map sheets:

• OS Landranger 156
• Explorer 230

Quiet and off the beaten track, Tyrells Wood is a welcome spot for visitors and wildlife alike. At the centre is an ancient woodland site, named Boscus de Grischave in records dating back to 1251, and believed to have been around since the Ice Age. It has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of the immense variety of woodland packed into such a small area. Paths wind through dense undergrowth, emerging in open areas that boast big veteran oak trees. A circular route around the site can be enjoyed and, despite no waymarkings or information board, is relatively easy to follow and enjoy the diverse autumnal colours created by native species such as oak, hazel, ash, field maple birch and rowan. The Boudicca way passes through tyrrel's woodand is a waymarked walk from Norwich station to Diss station around a 40 mile walk.

www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/tyrells

How to get there: Tyrrel's Wood is situated off Wood Lane east of the A140 on Norwich to Ipswich road. The closest town is Long Stratton,which is situated 2 miles north of the site. The car park is at the southern end of the wood.

West
 Credenhill Park, Credenhill, Herefordshire

Size:

91.31 ha (225.63 acres)

Near:

Credenhill, Herefordshire

Grid ref:

SO450445

OS map sheets:

• OS Landranger 149
• Explorer 202

Credenhill Park Wood is a local landmark with historical and environmental importance and is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Special Wildlife Site.

The site includes 13 hectares of ancient semi natural wood. As you walk along the tranquil paths amongst the trees you can see rare small leaved limes, early purple orchids, and fragrant wild garlic. The Iron Age hill fort that is an integral part of the site is one of the largest hill forts in England and it is thought to have been an Iron Age tribal capital. Sections of the fort have been cleared of trees (to help preserve the archaeological features) and the size of the hill fort and the significant ramparts can be clearly seen. The walk to the top is well worth it, exploring the nature found within the woods along the way. At the top you will see views across to Wales. Soak up the autumnal landscape and let your imagination take you back to a time gone by. www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/credenhill

How to get there: Leaving Hereford on A438 Brecon road, turn right immediately past entrance to Wyevale nursery onto A480 signed Credenhill. Straight over roundabout then second turning on the right (heads almost back on itself) following the brown tourist sign. The car park is 200m on the left.

South  East

 Brede High Woods, Cripps Corner, Battle, East Sussex

Size:

261.89 ha (647.14 acres)

Near:

Cripps Corner, near Battle, East Sussex, East Sussex

Grid ref:

TQ796203

OS map sheets:

• OS Landranger 199
• Explorer 124
• Explorer 125

At 262ha (648 acres) it is currently the second biggest Woodland Trust site in England and lies within the High Weald AONB in East Sussex, approx 6 miles north of Hastings.

The site comprises 10 named ancient woods, some of which retain their original broadleaved character with extensive areas of hornbeam and sweet chestnut coppice. The woodland remains typical  of the High Weald landscape of woods and small fields, connected by shaws and hedges. The woods undulate and change in the form of banks, ditches and sunken tracks. Other past uses of the woods can be seen in the extensive earthworks from the excavation of iron ore that underpinned the historic Wealden iron industry.

The woods contain a great variety of habitats including open heathland, overstood and in-rotation coppice, ghyll woodland, wet woodland, sphagnum beds, small ponds, springs, streams and acid grassland. Important species include 55 ancient woodland plants and trees including common species such as bluebell, wood anemone, pignut and primrose and rarer species such as green hellebore and wild service trees. Important bird species include spotted fly-catcher, hobby, woodcock, turtle dove, nightingale and buzzard (still comparatively rare in Sussex). The site is well known for its invertebrate interest. It is the only known UK location for the flea beetle previously thought to be extinct. The acid grassland also has a population of glow worm. Important species, varied autumn colour and the chance to see some of the country’s most important species including great crested newt, brook lamprey, dormouse, badgers and fallow deer. It’s sheer size and diversity makes Brede High a wonderful place to enjoy an autumn walk.  www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/brede

How to get there: Brede High Woods lie south of the B2089 between Cripps Corner and Broad Oak Brede, approx 6 miles north of Hastings, East Sussex. The B2089 is a narrow but busy road with no pavements east of Cripps Corner. There are 15 entrances into the wood from the surrounding roads and lanes. Most have narrow squeeze gaps. From the car park off the B2089, approx two miles east of Cripps Corner there are three ways into the wood via a squeeze gap, kissing gate or steps. Four of the tracks into the wood from the B2089 are surfaced for up to 400m from the gate but beyond that most rides and paths are un-surfaced.

South West

 Beacon Hill Wood, Shepton Mallet, Somerset

Size:

17.28 ha (42.70 acres)

Near:

Shepton Mallet, Somerset

Grid ref:

ST639459

OS map sheets:

• OS Landranger 183
• Explorer 142

Visitors to Beacon Hill can expect steep climbs and stunning autumn scenery, a very popular place to visit by locals and tourists. A copse of large old beech trees, visable for miles,  form a distinctive crown on the ridge. The wood includes features dating back to Neolithic, Bronze age and Roman periods. Bronze Age barrows (burial mounds), old quarry pits and various standing stones are just some of the features to look for, with the great Roman road the Fosse Way crossing through the wood. More recently the Auxiliary Unit, one of the most secret services of the Second World War, had a base here, operating out of an underground bunker. Today’s visitors can explore its springs, gullies, ridges, ponds, rides and glades, soaking up the wonderful colour of autumn.

How to get there: North of Shepton Mallet on A37 take the third  right into Old Frome Road (Just before A367 turning to Bath) The Wood is 800m on the right with space for cars at the entrance. There are two other minor squeeze gap entrances on the same road both with verge edge parking only. There is a short surfaced access for all loop path from the main entrance to a view point with a seat. All the other paths within the wood are natural.

North West

 Lumb Brook Valley, Warrington, Cheshire

Size:

10.44 ha (25.80 acres)

Near:

Warrington, Cheshire

Grid ref:

SJ627849

OS map sheets:

• OS Landranger 109
• Explorer 276

You get four woods for the “price” of one as Lumb Brook Valley. It is in reality a collection of interconnected but distinctive woodland sites which has potential for all walkers. The Fords Rough contains an area of ancient woodland while, in the valley, you will discover a diverse range of shrubs and flowers. A surfaced, if sometimes waterlogged, footpath provides access through the length of the wood.

The Dingle is a large wooded valley offering a variety of broadleaf and conifers. A well used footpath meanders through sparse ground vegetation but pockets of colourful flowers emerge here each spring. The site is under pressure from development but was extended by the Woodland Trust in 1998 to buffer the woodland from the impact of farming on one side and housing on the other.

www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/lumbbrookvalley

How to get there. Lies in the Appleton area of South Warrington.  The main entrances to the two compartments (Fords Rough and the Dingle) can be found on Dingle Lane. Parking is available here just up from the entrances in large stoned lay-bys. The Dingle is to the south, a wooden kissing gate being found at the entrance. The path is quite narrow in parts and runs over a number of small narrow bridges and board walk some with small steps.

Greater London

 Tring Park, Tring, Hertfordshire

Size:

107.22 ha (264.95 acres)

Grid ref:

SP929102

OS map sheets:

• OS Landranger 165
• Explorer 181

A walk through Tring Park evokes a sense of the rich history of this unusual parkland, which is believed to date back to 1066. Wealthy banker Lionel de Rothschild bought the estate at auction in 1972 and his son Nathaniel – the first Lord Rothschild – made sweeping changes to the mansion, and surrounding farms and cottages. Lord Rothschild opened a zoological museum on the site as a gift to his son Walter, who was responsible for introducing numerous exotic animals to the park. Wallabies, cassowaries, quaggas and rheas used to roam the extensive grassland, which is still grazed today by rather less exotic sheep and cattle.

Consequently, Tring Park is an impressive site to explore and great for relaxation, particularly in the attractive open areas dotted with large individual trees and the occasional new planting. mixed broadleaves including ancient beech, ash and yew with scattered sequoias and elegant yew and lime avenues make the site a wonder to behold . At its heart is an obelisk, dedicated to Nell Gwynn and the summer house where she is said to have met Charles ll.

A chalk grassland strip sandwiched between grassland and woodland is the second largest area of unimproved chalk grassland in the county and one of Hertfordshire’s most important habitats with a rich array of butterflies such as skippers and purple emperor, orchids and plants. In autumn the colours are best viewed along King Charles Ride, a long distance footpath which runs through the site and provides wonderful views across the Chilterns, with The Ridgeway National Trail along the bridleway at the top of the scarp. www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/tring

How to get there: Just south of A41. Running along the Chiltern ridge, Tring Park lies just to the south of Tring. Access is available directly from the surrounding country roads. On the western boundary there are three entrances directly off Hastoe Lane, four entrances directly off the village roads in Wigginton to the east, one via a public footpath from the south and one via a public footpath from Tring to the north. The nearest car park is at Walter Rothchild Zoological Museum, 350m from northern entrance, Open 10 am - 5 pm. Or in the High Street car park 600m away along quiet suburban road with pavement .

Scotland

 Crinan Woods, near Crinan, Argyll and Bute,

Size:

35.12 ha (86.78 acres)

OS map sheets:

• OS Landranger 55
• Explorer 358

Crinan Wood rises 100 metres above the picturesque village of Crinan. The picturesque Crinan Canal borders the site and the famous Corrievreckan whirlpool is a few miles out to sea (if it' really wild you can hear it from the wood!)

From its amazing  vantage points, visitors can lose themselves in the spectacular views west to the Isle of Jura and north to Mull, looking across Crinan Loch, visitors can marvel at the historic 12th Century Duntrune Castle and survey the 1200 boggy acres of National Nature Reserve, seeing Nature’s autumn colours on a landscape scale. A woodland path connects with the British Waterways tow-path to make a 2.5 km circuit through the woods and along the canal.

Crinan Wood is an exceptional place; with its moist, warm climate it is often described as a remnant of Scotland’s own rainforest and it is home to a vast variety of ferns and lichens. 24 species of birds can be found in the wood, including buzzard, tree creeper, redstart and wood warbler. Such impressive natural diversity is typical of the ancient Atlantic oakwoods of the west coast of Scotland. There was a time when oakwoods stretched between countries. From Spain and France, to England, Wales and Scotland a scattering of this native oakwood still survives. Crinan Wood is one of them.  www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/crinan

How to get there: Crinan Wood is situated to the south east of the village of Crinan, and is bordered on the northern and eastern sides by the Crinan canal. There are several access points into the wood: from the canal basin in Crinan; adjacent to a swing bridge off the B841 Cairnbaan- Crinan road (1km south of the village); and from Kilmahumaig on the B841 shortly before Crinan village. There are three entrances; from the canal basin in the village, from the canal towpath to the east of the wood of the B841, and from a track at Kilmahumaig, also on the B841, shortly before the village.

Wales

 Wentwood Llanfair Discoed, Casnewydd - Newport

Size:

352.96 ha (872.18 acres)

Near:

Grid ref:

ST406937

OS map sheets:

• OS Landranger 171
• OS Landranger 172
• Explorer 14
• Explorer 152

Wentwood forms part of the largest block of ancient woodland within Wales found within an area that has a concentration of ancient woodlands that runs between the rivers Usk and Wye. The recorded history of Wentwood extends to over a 1000 years, once a hunting preserve of Chepstow Castle.

Wentwood is still a haven for wildlife. Dormice are still living in Wentwood together with adders, lizards, deer and many woodland birds including the nightjar. An interesting insect that lives at Wentwood is the wood ant. They build large nests that can be 3 to 4 feet high. Wentwood has a number of scheduled ancient monuments surrounding it and a bronze aged burial mounds within the wood. The ancient track ways, charcoal hearths and remains of an old mill gives us a clue to the past uses of the forest.

The wood has a number of access points and is crisscrossed by footpaths and bridleways and is used regularly by local people, with the regenerated broadleaf species giving new autumn colour to the site. www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/wentwood

How to get there: Take A48 from Newport and look out for a right turn to Park Seymour. Follow the road carefully through small village and up the hillside to the main block of woodland, where there are several pull-ins, a car park and picnic area.

NI

 Drumlamph Wood, Maghera, Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Size:

31.91 ha (78.85 acres)

Near:

2 miles N. of Maghera, Londonderry

Grid ref:

C841037

OS map sheets:

• OSNI Discoverer 8

Take time out and discover the beauty of Drumlamph Wood, one of Northern Ireland’s rare and precious ancient woods. Just outside Maghera, the wood lies adjacent to the Sperrin Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is, unquestionably, a beauty in its own right. Drumlamph Wood has been traced back as far as 1599 and was once part of the extensive oak forest of Killetra in south-east County Londonderry. Look out for historical features such as the rath (or hillfort) to the north of the site, which is indicative of an early Christian settlement. And keep a watchful eye open for the wood’s natural treasures.

The ancient woodland is buffered by rush meadow and wetland, with recently planted woodland in the fields further north. All provide a wonderful haven for wildlife, from sparrowhawks and buzzards to mammals such as otters and the Irish hare. In winter especially, the Irish hare frequents the wood edges as well as the surrounding fields. A car park is in place and a choice of walking routes, the longest three miles (just less than five kilometres), will lead you on your woodland journey. One section, approximately 400 metres of pathway, is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/drumlamph

How to get there: The woodland is 2 miles north of Maghera town and it is central to the upper River Bann catchments just east of the Sperrin Hills. Access is from the Grillagh & Gortinure Roads off the main A29 road running north from Maghera to Coleraine road. The path enters the wood from the planting (Woyd) in the northern section of the wood. There is a track access from the east via the Grillagh road and the farm track which links down to the Tirnoney standing stones or Dolmen. Public access is available off the Grillagh & Gortinure B roads to the east of the site. These are sign posted from the A29 Maghera to Coleraine road (opp. Grillagh picnic site on the A29).The main car park, for ten cars, is off Grillagh Road to the NE of the site. From the car park the path leads into the three planted fields, then into the woodland and rush meadow, to make a 4km circular route that returns through the fen or the woods.

Notes to editor: