Ancient Woodland

Norfolk’s ancient woodlands are now tranquil, tucked-away places, but they were once a hive of activity and vital to the local economy. They provided local people with fuel, timber for construction, hurdles and bark for use in the tanning industry. The regular harvest of these products created opportunities for a rich biodiversity of plants and animals, but recent neglect has left many of these ancient places impoverished. Re-creation of the ancient coppicing regime is now heralding the return of a wide variety of woodland grasses, flowers, invertebrates and birds to Norfolk’s ancient woodlands.

Typical species: hornbeam, small leaved lime, great tit, grey squirrel, speckled wood butterfly, red campion

Threatened species: greater butterfly orchid, nightingale