So tranquil that it comes as a surprise to encounter another
soul in these ancient woods.”

This tranquil ancient woodland is the last fragment of the many woods of Cockfield, referred to in the Hundred Rolls of 1279. April is the best month to visit Bull’s Wood which is famed for its oxlips – a delicate yellow flowered plant limited to 100 sites in East Anglia – which carpet parts of the woodland floor in spring. Early-purple orchid are abundant here and you’ll see spurge-laurel, wood anemone and herb-paris – all uncommon plants associated with ancient woodland.

Birds include chiffchaff, treecreeper, tawny owl, marsh and long-tailed tit. Many of the rides have Wood been opened up to create sunny, grassy glades enjoyed by butterflies such as ringlet, gatekeeper and orange tip.

Oxlip prefer chalky soils and coppice management	Dryad's saddle fungus is a parasite of deciduous trees

The wood’s long history of coppicing is being continued by local volunteers. This traditional method of harvesting wood creates a mosaic of wildlife habitats and encourages the spectacular show of spring flowers. The coppiced trees are mostly ash, hazel and field maple while the oaks are normally left to mature.

Other Trust reserves nearby: Bradfield Woods

STAR SPECIES
Oxlip
Wood anemone