Bowdown Woods

IMPORTANT VISITOR INFO – Take only photos. Leave only footsteps.

To keep the woodland as natural as possible we don’t label individual trees and we ask that visitors do not place their own plaques, labels, flowers, etc in the woodland. Each tree we plant should be seen as part of a natural woodland.

Before visiting this woodland, please read our Frequently Asked Questions page, which gives you helpful tips about your tree and visitor guidance.

Bowdown Woods are rich in wildlife and history, and include areas of ancient woodland, often in wooded valleys. The Woods are a Site of Special Scientific Interest and are recognised at a national level as being worthy of protection and enhancement.

The woods also form part of The West Berkshire Living Landscape scheme, covering 27 sq kilometeres, including the river valleys of the Enborne and Kennet which are separated by the higher gravel plateau and mosaic of Greenham and Crookham Commons.

A quarter of the project area is designated as important for wildlife, either locally, nationally or internationally. The project aims to create an expanse of interconnected habitats, allowing nature to live, not trapped in small pockets but able to move through linked areas sympathetic to nature.

Bowdown habitats include ancient woodland, heathland, butterfly glades, streams and ponds. the woodlands comprises alder and willow in the valleys and ash and hazel on the higher ground. As part of their management of the woodlands Berkshire Wildlife Trust carry out rotational hazel coppicing to promote open spaces in the woodland, ground flora and regeneration of the scrubby understory.

The trees have been planted in the Baynes Walk area of the wood - considered the most secretive part of the wood. The dense, ancient woodland here has lots of streams and some steep paths.

These trees will benefit a wide range of wildlife including woodland flowers, butterflies, birds and the rare hazel dormouse. The plan is to restore the optimum density of tree growth in this area, to restore the coppice to original levels of growth and enhance the capacity of the area to make a positive environmental impact.

The coppiced area is protected by fencing around the site, in order to reduce the risk of damage caused by deer.

The car park and entrance to the woodland is on Burys Bank Road.

Photo Gallery

Tree Species at Bowdown Woods

Since 2020 EFORESTS has worked with the land owners and local volunteers to plant 428 new native tree species.

The following tree species were planted on the site:

IMPORTANT VISITOR INFO – Take only photos. Leave only footsteps.

To keep the woodland as natural as possible we don’t label individual trees and we ask that visitors do not place their own plaques, labels, flowers, etc in the woodland. Each tree we plant should be seen as part of a natural woodland.

Before visiting this woodland, please read our Frequently Asked Questions page, which gives you helpful tips about your tree and visitor guidance.

EFORESTS have been tree planting in Berkshire and many other regions since 2006. You can dedicate a tree to be planted in Berkshire or elsewhere in the UK on our Tree Dedication page.