Bradfield Woods National Nature Reserve is a working wood that has been under continuous traditional management since 1252, supplying local needs for firewood and hazel products. One of Britain’s finest ancient woodlands the site is a glorious haven for wildlife. The range in soil types from acid to alkaline explains the impressive variety of plants – 370 at the last count!

Look out for colourful flushes of spring flowers in the newly coppiced areas. April is the best time to visit to see early-purple orchid and wood anemone growing alongside nationally rare oxlip. As the coppice shoots regenerate, their dense bushy growth provides cover for migrant songbirds such as garden Roe warbler, blackcap and enigmatic nightingale whose delightful song alone makes this reserve worth a visit. Mammals including the yellow-necked mouse, secretive dormouse and nocturnal badger are also resident. On sunny summer days the sheltered rides harbour breathtaking clouds of butterflies, of which there are 24 species.

The traditional management of coppicing at Bradfield involves cutting the stems and allowing the trees to re-grow before they are cut again some 20-25 years later. Coppiced stems are used for firewood, fencing and thatching spars. Some trees have been allowed to grow into mature specimens to provide larger timber. Trees and shrubs growing here include oak, ash, alder, hazel, maple, small-leaved lime, dogwood and spindle. Old oak and ash pollards line the east and south boundary.

Guilder rose berries provide a winter feast for many birds	Hazel coppice provides food and shelter for secretive dormice

Coppice wood products from Bradfields ware still used for thatching, tool handles, rustic poles, hurdle making and firewood.

If you visit the reserve in early morning keep quiet and you may be lucky enough to see deer picking their way daintily along the rides. Medium sized roe deer are the most common but the larger red deer and spotted fallow also occur. The tiny dog-sized muntjac deer is spotted regularly in the woods.

The best way to enjoy this site is to explore the many rides. Pick up a trail guide at the visitor centre when you arrive.

Please note that Bradfield Woods is referred to as Felsham Hall Wood on the OS map.

Other Trust reserves nearby: Bulls Wood

STAR SPECIES
Oxlip
Nightingale
Roe Deer