About the reserve

Perfect for walking all year round, Lower Wood is particularly splendid in spring when a sea of bluebells fills the woodland floor, while ramson adds speckles of white with the strong aroma of garlic. 

Summer is fantastic for butterflies at Lower Wood, including white admiral, and more recently, purple emperor. Tread softly and you might spot red or roe deer before they spot you. 

Hundreds of species of fungi have been recorded in Lower Wood. Autumn is a great time to search the woodland floor and rotting tree stumps for these strange, fruiting bodies.  

Coppicing – a traditional method of woodland management where trees are repeatedly cut back near to ground level – has encouraged the fresh growth of trees such as hazel. This annual work helps us to maintain the rich abundance of ground flora, insect life, and nest sites for woodland birds.