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Natural England lists 53,636 ancient woodlands in its database as of 2024, comprising 39,223 ancient and semi-natural woodlands (ASNW), 14,339 ancient replanted woodlands (PAWS) and 64 ancient wood pastures (AWP). [1] Most of these are small, with 45,445 of the woods being below 10 ha in size.
Head to a forest or woodland near you for a walk amongst the trees. Our pick of the top 30 woodlands and forests to visit in the UK.
- Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest, Kent. Covering 128 hectares, Bedgebury is a forest in England which plays a key part in the Global Trees Campaign run by Fauna & Flora International.
- Wyre Forest, Worcestershire & Shropshire. Located to the west of Birmingham, Wyre Forest is the largest woodland National Nature Reserve in England and one of the best forests in England.
- Thetford Forest, Norfolk & Suffolk. Situated in the heart of East Anglia, Thetford Forest takes its place as the UK’s largest man-made lowland forest and one of the biggest pine forests in England, comprising 18,730 hectares.
- Kielder Water & Forest Park, Northumberland. What is the UK’s biggest forest? Kielder Forest is one of the largest forests in England and is home to Kielder Water, the biggest reservoir in Northern Europe.
- Ingleton Falls, North Yorkshire
- Grizedale Forest, Cumbria
- Hatfield Forest, Essex
- Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire
- Eaves Wood, Lancashire
- Cardinham Woods, Cornwall
- Kielder Forest, Northumberland
- Wistman’s Wood, Devon
- Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail, Gloucestershire
- Puzzlewood, Gloucestershire
The Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is a circular route stretching for 4.5 miles and takes you through some of the best parts of the Yorkshire Dales. Along the route, you’ll find oak woodland, a series of waterfalls, and many rare plants, birds and trees that have made their home in the ancient base rocks that form the Peak District. These features have ...
The Lake District in Cumbria is sure to make any list of best forest walks. One of the most beautiful walks in the area is Grizedale Forest, covering 9 square miles of woodland. There is plenty to do in the forest, from walking and cycling to adventure activities like Go Ape and Forest Segway. For the best views of Cumbria’s famous lakes and mounta...
Hatfield Forest is Britain’s best surviving royal hunting forest from medieval times. Back in that period, the word ‘forest’ referred to an area of deer, rather than trees. Today, you can still see plenty of fallow deer and muntjac deer roaming around, as well as foxes, rabbits, weasels and hedgehogs. The forest stretches over 403 hectares and is a...
Ashridge Estate is set in 2,000 hectares of the Chiltern Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). A mixture of beech and oak forests, commons and chalk downlands, the estate is a fascinating mix of landscapes teeming with wildlife. You’ll be able to recognise the magical forest from the 2014 film Maleficent starring Angelina Jolie, whic...
Eaves Wood is a truly magical place. From ancient woodlands, to giant beech trees, to hidden grassy glades, this forest is a fantastic place for a stroll. The forest is filled with beautiful wildflowers like primroses and bluebells, and you might even catch a glimpse of deer through the trees. Eaves Wood is part of the Arnside and Silverdale AONB, ...
One of Cornwall’s hidden gems, Cardinham Woods is a wonderful spot to immerse yourself in nature. The woodland is nestled in a beautiful valley and is filled with babbling brooks, secret glades and viewing points. There are four walking trails here, and most of them are easy to access. They’re all well maintained and easy to navigate. The Callywith...
Kielder Forest is actually a man-made woodland. Covering 250 square miles, the forest is the largest working forest in England. The forest is packed with things to do, such as cycling and mountain biking, fishing and geocaching. If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, then Kielder won’t disappoint – the forest is also home to England’s largest remaining p...
Wistman’s Wood looks exactly like it came out of a fairytale. Moss-covered boulders and twisted, lichen-covered trees give the forest an enchanted, mystical feel, and has often been the centre of supernatural stories. It’s one of the highest oakwoods in Britain and is also an SSSI. Wistman’s Wood Walk is a circular walk starting at a car park near ...
The Forest of Dean is a sprawling area of woodland covering more than 42 square miles. It is one of the oldest woodlands in England, and a large part of it was used as royal hunting grounds before 1066. The forest is teeming with wildlife and is particularly known for its birds. There is a large population of peregrine falcons which can be seen fro...
Not far from the Sculpture Trail is Puzzlewood, also located in the Forest of Dean. With pathways winding through moss-covered boulders, charming wooden bridges and knotted tree formations, it’s easy to see why Puzzlewood has a magical atmosphere. It’s believed that JRR Tolkien drew inspiration from Puzzlewood for his novels The Hobbit and Lord of ...
- Kielder Forest, Northumberland. With twenty-five thousand acres of beautiful woodland, Kielder Forest in Northumberland is the perfect destination for adventurers who want to escape into the stunning natural beauty of England’s countryside.
- The New Forest, Hampshire. The ancient woodland of the New Forest offers visitors a truly magical experience. Stretching across Hampshire, this vast area of woodland comprises heathland, bogs, marshes, and grassy meadows.
- Wyre Forest, Worcestershire. Situated in the heart of Worcestershire, Wyre Forest is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This ancient woodland has been around since Anglo-Saxon times and stretches over ten thousand hectares.
- Ashdown Forest, Sussex. Ashdown Forest is a beautiful place to explore in England. Located in Sussex, this forest is the largest unenclosed area of open heathland left in Southern England, and it offers different paths for those looking for adventure.
Mar 20, 2024 · From peaceful countryside to wild highlands, the UK is home to some of the most beautiful and enchanting woodlands and forests. Whether you decide to use them as a place to stroll, hike, spot wildlife, or even mountain bike, exploring woodlands and forests is a fantastic year-round activity.
People also ask
Where are the best woodlands in England?
Why should you visit a woodland or forest in the UK?
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What is ancient woodland?
Ancient woods are areas of woodland that have persisted since 1600 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and 1750 in Scotland. This is when maps started to be reasonably accurate so we can tell that these areas have had tree cover for hundreds of years.
