Oak Trees and Bluebells are two of the main indicator species that serve to show the Woods as an “Ancient Woodland.” This deep valley was created by the stream flow arising from the last ice age melt down. This made the area unsuitable for farming and the result is this local woodland for us to enjoy.

The five-trunked oak bowl you see in front shows the effect of cutting branches down for charcoal production, iron melting, and domestic use.

Oak charcoal, with its intense burning was particularly prized in the production of gunpowder and was in great demand during the Napoleonic Wars.
Oak bark was an essential component in the process of leather tanning and a valuable product prior to the introduction of chemical tanning processes.