Wildlife and trees

What can you spot?
 
Hazel tree
Walk among hazel trees adorned with bright yellow catkins known as lambs’ tails. In autumn watch as the hazelnuts ripen, becoming a treat for tiny dormice.
 
 
Buzzard
Listen out for the buzzard, a powerful bird whose call sounds like a meowing cat. The buzzard is the UK’s most common bird of prey and is known for its broad, rounded wings.
 
 
Badger
Head out into the forest at night for the best chance of spotting the elusive badger. On your nocturnal adventure look out for the black and white stripes that make this large mammal so distinctive.
 
 
Song thrush
As you relax on your outdoor decking, listen quietly for the call of the song thrush. As its name implies, it’s an accomplished singer, easily recognised by its habit of repeating its chorus. And if you're listening out in the evening, you may be lucky enough to spot some bats too!
 
 
Want to learn more about the wildlife here? Book onto a Forest Ranger experience and discover all the secrets of the forest!
Trees you'll find in the forest
 
Oak
Oak supports more life than any other native tree in the UK – and they're found throughout the country. They're home to hundreds of insect species, supplying many birds and bats with an important food source, as well as creating shelter. Oaks actually shorten with age to help extend their lifespan!
 
 
Birch
Birch trees are hardy, able to live in a range of temperatures, from as far south as Spain to as far north as Lapland. Birch woods (either downy, silver birch, or both) have a light, open canopy and thrive in dry woodlands, downs and heaths. Their open canopy also helps grasses, mosses, wood anemones, bluebells, wood sorrel and violets to grow. Silver birch provides food and habitat for more than 300 insect species, as well as homes for nesting birds like woodpeckers.
 
 
Beech
Beech woodland is shady, accompanied by a dense carpet of fallen leaves. Only specialist, shade-tolerant plants can survive beneath a beech canopy. Due to these conditions, rarer plant species are associated with beech woodland, such as box, coralroot bittercress and a variety of orchids, including red helleborine. Beech woodland provides an important habitat for many butterflies too. Because Beech trees live for so long, they're also home to lots of insects, fungi and mosses that thrive on deadwood.
 
 
Alder
Alder's natural habitat is moist ground near rivers, ponds and lakes and it thrives in damp, cool areas such as marshes, wet woodland and streams where its roots help to prevent soil erosion. It can grow in drier locations and in mixed woodland too. The wet conditions found in alder woodland are ideal for a number of mosses, lichens and fungi, and provide food for many caterpillars and insects.
 
 
Goat willow and Grey willow
Soft, silvery and found in damp woodland, the grey willow is where you'll find lots of caterpillars. They feed on its leaves and its fuzzy catkins feed pollinators early in the season. The goat willow is very similar to the grey willow, but its catkins look more like cat's paws, which is why it's also known as the 'pussy willow'.

We’re more than just a holiday

Nestled within inspiring natural spaces, we offer a unique way to experience and enjoy the UK’s forests, helping you experience and reconnect with nature.

We look after the land we love for us all, protecting wildlife and helping to preserve the forest for the future. By putting nature centre-stage, we give you the best of the outdoors. A sense of freedom and a unique experience, where you feel connected to the forest and to each other. Because you don’t just visit the forest, you really feel it.

And once you’ve found that Forest Feeling, you’ll never let it go.

Let's look after what we love

Help to care for the wildlife around you in small, but important ways. You'll find it's as good for you as it is for nature!

Give nature a helping hand by....

  • Creating habitat piles using old logs and branches
  • Picking up any litter you see – the forest and wildlife will thank you for it
  • Turning off the lights when they’re not in use to reduce energy use
  • Using the bins provided to separate your waste and recycle properly
Supporting the forest