Cowcroft Wood

Cowcroft Wood is an ancient wood and is now a nature reserve owned by the Woodland Trust.

It is part of a complex of woodland known as Tylers Hill. The clay soil has been worked for three centuries to supply material for the local tile and brickworks. Oak and beech are predominant but other species include wild cherry, ash, birch, sycamore and hornbeam. The ground flora includes wild orchids, bluebells, male fern and occasional bramble in the more densely shaded areas with ground ivy, lesser celendine, dogs mercury and occasional primroses.

The mining history has resulted in dips and rises across the wood. Local artist, Margaret Taperell, finds this makes it an exciting place to walk as you stumble across these huge hollows, some of which have filled with water and become ponds. If you stand in the base of the hollows when the bluebells are flowering, the scent of the flowers can be overwhelming.

The undulating surface of the ground has attracts more than just walkers. Sadly the ground is becoming cut up by tyre tracks and the woodland seems to be suffering from the fashion for off-road driving in 4×4 vehicles and trail bikes.

 

Accessibility/terrain/walk info

Ley Hill circular walk: full route

Grid Reference

SP982015