Bisham Woods
Encyclopedia
Bisham Woods are a series of woods between Bisham Abbey
and Cookham Dean
in Berkshire
. They include an 83.7ha biological Site of Special Scientific Interest, notified in 1970, with a claim to be "the richest ancient woods in Berkshire".
The woods have been owned and managed by the Woodland Trust
since 1990, and consists of several sections, covering a total of 153.2ha (378.57 acres). The northern part is the ancient woodland SSSI, with compartments known as Quarry Wood, Fultness Wood, High Wood and Inkydown Wood. With the Thames just to the north, and views across the Chiltern Hills
, they include beechwoods, with rare woodland orchids. The remaining compartments, including Park Wood, High Wood, and Goulding's Wood, Carpenters Wood and Dungrovehill Wood are areas of 19th and 20th century planting noted for bluebells. These are nearer Maidenhead, near the A308 and A404. The woods are open to the public, and are well served with paths and bridleways, with parking nearby.
Quarry Wood is the site of Bisham Quarry, an important medieval source of stone, much of which was used to build Windsor Castle
. From medieval times the woods were part of the extensive Bisham Estates of the Earls of Salisbury
. An ice house, built in the 1760s to provide ice for Bisham Abbey
is within the woods, and opened to the public four times a year. The Woods are said to have been the original 'Wild Wood' in Kenneth Grahame
's Wind in the Willows, which he wrote in the nearby village of Cookham Dean
.
A memorial in Carpenters Wood commemorates the crash site of a Halifax Bomber
from the Royal Air Force 578 Squadron
, on 18 July 1944. The memorial was dedicated on 18 July 1998.
Bisham Abbey
Bisham Abbey is a Grade I listed manor house at Bisham in the English county of Berkshire. The name is taken from the now lost monastery which once stood alongside. Bisham Abbey was previously named Bisham Priory, and was the traditional resting place of many Earls of Salisbury...
and Cookham Dean
Cookham Dean
Cookham Dean is a settlement to the west of the village of Cookham in Berkshire, England. It is the highest point of all the Cookhams -Commerce:...
in Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
. They include an 83.7ha biological Site of Special Scientific Interest, notified in 1970, with a claim to be "the richest ancient woods in Berkshire".
The woods have been owned and managed by the Woodland Trust
Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust is a conservation charity in the United Kingdom concerned with the protection and sympathetic management of native woodland heritage.-History:...
since 1990, and consists of several sections, covering a total of 153.2ha (378.57 acres). The northern part is the ancient woodland SSSI, with compartments known as Quarry Wood, Fultness Wood, High Wood and Inkydown Wood. With the Thames just to the north, and views across the Chiltern Hills
Chiltern Hills
The Chiltern Hills form a chalk escarpment in South East England. They are known locally as "the Chilterns". A large portion of the hills was designated officially as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1965.-Location:...
, they include beechwoods, with rare woodland orchids. The remaining compartments, including Park Wood, High Wood, and Goulding's Wood, Carpenters Wood and Dungrovehill Wood are areas of 19th and 20th century planting noted for bluebells. These are nearer Maidenhead, near the A308 and A404. The woods are open to the public, and are well served with paths and bridleways, with parking nearby.
Quarry Wood is the site of Bisham Quarry, an important medieval source of stone, much of which was used to build Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
. From medieval times the woods were part of the extensive Bisham Estates of the Earls of Salisbury
Earl of Salisbury
Earl of Salisbury is a title that has been created several times in British history. It has a complex history, being first created for Patrick de Salisbury in the middle twelfth century. It was eventually inherited by Alice, wife of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster...
. An ice house, built in the 1760s to provide ice for Bisham Abbey
Bisham Abbey
Bisham Abbey is a Grade I listed manor house at Bisham in the English county of Berkshire. The name is taken from the now lost monastery which once stood alongside. Bisham Abbey was previously named Bisham Priory, and was the traditional resting place of many Earls of Salisbury...
is within the woods, and opened to the public four times a year. The Woods are said to have been the original 'Wild Wood' in Kenneth Grahame
Kenneth Grahame
Kenneth Grahame was a Scottish writer, most famous for The Wind in the Willows , one of the classics of children's literature. He also wrote The Reluctant Dragon; both books were later adapted into Disney films....
's Wind in the Willows, which he wrote in the nearby village of Cookham Dean
Cookham Dean
Cookham Dean is a settlement to the west of the village of Cookham in Berkshire, England. It is the highest point of all the Cookhams -Commerce:...
.
A memorial in Carpenters Wood commemorates the crash site of a Halifax Bomber
Handley Page Halifax
The Handley Page Halifax was one of the British front-line, four-engined heavy bombers of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. A contemporary of the famous Avro Lancaster, the Halifax remained in service until the end of the war, performing a variety of duties in addition to bombing...
from the Royal Air Force 578 Squadron
No. 578 Squadron RAF
No. 578 Squadron RAF was a heavy bomber squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.-History:578 Squadron was formed at RAF Snaith, East Riding of Yorkshire on 14 January 1944 from 'C' flight of No. 51 Squadron RAF, equipped with Halifax Mk.III bombers, as part of No. 4 Group RAF in...
, on 18 July 1944. The memorial was dedicated on 18 July 1998.
See also
External links
- English Nature website (SSSI information)
- Bisham Woods on the VisitWoods website
- Woodland Trust Management Plan 2009-2014