Brampton Wood

14/03/2024: Ground conditions are wet and muddy. Main rides remain open but several smaller paths have been temporarily closed for visitor safety. Alternative routes have been sign posted. Suitable footwear should be worn.

Please note: Dogs must now be kept on leads at all times within the wood, year round.

Cambridgeshire's second largest ancient wood is over 900 years old!

Location

1.5 miles west of
Brampton, on minor road to Grafham Village
Cambridgeshire
For Sat Nav use PE28 0DB and continue west, away from A1, for 3/4 mile

OS Map Reference

TL 184 698
A static map of Brampton Wood

Know before you go

Size
132 hectares
z

Entry fee

No
P

Parking information

Small car park at reserve off Brampton Road

Walking trails

Over two miles of wide rides but some  minor paths narrow with slight gradients. Paths will be muddy in winter and could also be muddy at other times of the year.

Access

Footpaths can be muddy.

Forestry operations are underway at west ride north. Expect periodic access restrictions up until the end of December. Please plan your visit beforehand to avoid any inconvenience. 

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open all the time

Best time to visit

Anytime

About the reserve

Brampton Wood is the second largest ancient woodland in Cambridgeshire and is at least 900 years old. The first records date back to the Domesday Book. The trees include aspen, oak, ash, field maple and birch. The entire wood was once clear felled and has since naturally regenerated. Some areas are now coppiced and provide a habitat for dormice.

Plants to look out for include primrose, water purslane, wood spurge, common spotted orchid and devil's-bit scabious. Wild pear is a native but uncommon species and two specimens are found on the wood perimeter path with a number of others nearby.

Watch our short film about the reserve

Current Management

We have felled trees beside the rides to create an improved graded edge habitat and  providing space for early successional species. Ride edges host high species diversity of plants in sunny locations attracting animals from outlying woodland and grassland areas. Each year we coppice different sections of the wood, creating a variation in age structure throughout the wood. The grassy areas of the ride are maintained by biennial mowing to encourage a high density of wildflowers and sheltering areas.

Habitat restoration in Brampton Wood

As part of the ongoing restoration of the reserve, most of the conifers have been cleared. This clearance work has created open conditions that allow the natural regeneration of native trees and shrubs. Eventually conditions will be ideal for the recolonisation and flourishing of primroses, bluebells and other ancient woodland plants.

Our work is supported by the Forestry Commission and Natural England.

Access (permitted access points and paths)

Brampton Wood SSSI is owned and managed by The Wildlife Trusts for Beds, Cambs & Northants as a nature reserve. Public access to the wood is with the landowner’s permission (Permissive Access) and this can be withdrawn at any point, at the owner’s discretion, for any period of time. We can only allow entry to our nature reserves at designated points. There is no permission given for use of any alternative access points and the Trust reserves the right to amend access locations as it sees fit. 

There are no Public Rights of Way (PROW) within the wood, only a few authorised points of entry to the property, which may be closed by the representatives of the landowner in line with planned operations and conservation considerations. Unofficial points of boundary entry will not be permitted and will be closed off to prevent use. 

The map below shows the four official entrance points and the sites path and ride network, which will be maintained, modified or withdrawn with no guarantee on year-round suitability, usage or reinstatement.

Reserve leaflet and map

Map with access points

Additional information

  • We have regular work parties at Brampton Wood on the second Sunday of every month. Please consider coming out to lend a hand, make some new friends, and help our wildlife work at this reserve. See the Cambridgeshire work party page for more information. 
  • Scroll down to see the reserve boundary. Please note the boundary map is for indication purposes only and does not show the Wildlife Trusts definitive land boundary. 

FOR ANY MEDIA ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM:   communicationsteam@wildlifebcn.org or 01954 713500 and ask for comms team.

Contact us

Contact number: 01954 713500

Environmental designation

Ancient Woodland
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Location map

Ash Dieback Fund

Help support our woodlands bounce back from ash dieback, create new habitats and thrive for future generations.
£3,300 of £20,000 goal
Betony at Upwood Meadows June  - c. Robert Enderby

Betony at Upwood Meadows June  - c. Robert Enderby

Support our work

Did you enjoy your visit? From donating to volunteering, there are many different ways you can help us restore and protect local wildlife. We can't do this without you!

How you can help

Become a member

Help fight the rapid decline in wildlife across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire and enjoy some fabulous benefits. From only £3.50/month

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