Rough Hill Wood
Know before you go
Parking informationCar park off the Slough
Steep slopes, wet and muddy patches in winter
The terrain around the reserve is steep and muddy in areas.
When to visit
Opening timesOpen at all times
Best time to visitApril to August
About the reserve
This peaceful and atmospheric woodland is set on a hillside and its history traces back to 1250.
The woodland is made up of sessile oak, birch, rowan, aspen and small leaved lime. Wildflowers emerge in spring with a sea of bluebells. Since looking after the wood we have re-introduced some coppicing, an ancient woodland management technique. Trees are cut at the base and the resulting regrowth can be used for products from walking sticks to firewood or fencing. Coppiced trees re-sprout from the base and continue to grow for many years to come.
What's it like to visit?
The wood dominates the hillside along ‘the Slough' and it's teeming with life from brimstone butterflies to long-tailed tits. There is also a small area of heathland to explore with heather and bilberry.
What is there to do here?
- Walk to the top of the ridge to enjoy views over the tree canopy
- Visit in spring for carpets of bluebells
- Find fungi in autumn
What might you spot?
Beneath the ancient trees grows hazel and midland hawthorn with holly and wild privet. Bluebell, wood anemone and primrose celebrate spring's arrival and provide a blanket of vibrant colour to the dappled woodland floor. You may also find broad-leaved helleborine and betony.
There are plenty of birds to spot from cuckoo and chiffchaff to all three types of woodpecker.