Brampton Wood - Sarah Lambert
Following an assessment of the wood yesterday (20th January 2020) it was clear that following the continued wet weather through December and January the paths and rides are unfortunately still unsuitable for re-opening the wood to visitors. Therefore we will now re-assess on the 1st March 2020 and aim to re-open before spring flowers begin to appear in April. All ENTRANCES including the car park and those from PUBLIC RIGHTS will be closed.
Location
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
Know before you go
Entry fee
NoParking information
Small car park at reserve off Brampton RoadWalking trails
Over two miles of wide rides but some with difficult minor paths 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
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
Open all the timeBest time to visit
AnytimeAbout the reserve
About Brampton Wood
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.
Current Management
We have felled trees beside the rides to create an improved edge habitat and promote the growth of early successional species. Ride edges host high species diversity, attracting plants and 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.
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. More details here.
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.
Watch our short film about the reserve
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.
Species
- Fieldfare
- Hazel dormouse
- Redwing
- Great spotted woodpecker
- Green woodpecker
- Spotted flycatcher
- Song thrush
- Woodcock
- Brimstone
- Gatekeeper
- Green-veined white
- Meadow brown
- Ringlet
- Speckled wood
- White admiral
- Glow-worm
- Bluebell
- Cowslip
- Creeping jenny
- Devil's-bit scabious
- Guelder-rose
- Primrose
- Wood anemone
- Wood spurge
- Yellow archangel
- Yellow-rattle
Habitat
Contact us
Environmental designation
Location map
Please note the boundary map is for indication purposes only and does not show the Wildlife Trusts definitive land boundary.