An estimated 14–15% (c. 30,000ha) of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is woodland, of which some 9,485ha are on Ancient Woodland Sites (AWS) – 6,192ha being Ancient & Semi-Natural Woodland (ASNW) and 3,292ha being Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS).
“Some estates actively manage their woodland but most woodland across the AONB is not actively managed. However, there is evidence of change,” says Mark Connelly, Land Management Officer for the Cotswolds Conservation Board. Ash dieback is prompting felling and restocking programmes across many areas (see Cotswold Life, November 2019 issue) while increasing numbers of woodlands have also come into Countryside Stewardship schemes.
So what’s it like to look after woodlands?
WEST RUGGER’S GREEN
Estelle and Antony St John-Smith bought a five-acre parcel of woodland at West Rugger’s Green on the edge of Avening in March 2017. During WW2 the woodland had been clear-felled to plant quick-growing larch to supply timber for the war effort, but it later became neglected; tightly packed trees were starving the forest floor of light, stifling under-storey growth and biodiversity.
Denne historien er fra June 2020-utgaven av Cotswold Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 2020-utgaven av Cotswold Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Gloucestershire After The War
Discovering the county’s Arts and Crafts memorials of the First World War
THE WILD SIDE OF Moreton-in-Marsh
The days are getting shorter but there’s plenty of reasons to be cheerful, says Sue Bradley, who discovers how a Cotswolds town is becoming more wildlife-friendly and pots up some bulbs for an insect-friendly spring display
Mr Ashbee would approve
In the true spirit of the Arts & Crafts Movement, creativity has kept the Chipping Campden community ticking over during lockdown
The Cotswolds at war
These might be peaceful hills and vales, but our contribution to the war effort was considerable
Trust in good, local food
‘I’ve been following The Country Food Trust’s activities with admiration since it was founded’
Why Cath is an open book
Cath Kidston has opened up almost every nook and cranny of her Cotswold idyll in a new book, A Place Called Home. Katie Jarvis spoke to Cath ahead of her appearance at this year’s Stroud Book Festival STROUD BOOK FESTIVAL – THIS YEAR FREE AND ONLINE: NOVEMBER 4-8
From the Cotswolds to the world
Most people know that the Cotswolds have featured in a fair few Hollywood movies and TV series.
The Wild Hunt
In search of the legendary King Herla in the Malvern Hills
Fighting spirit amid the flowers
Tracy Spiers visits Warwick, a beautiful town that is open for business and ready to welcome visitors
Final journey
Cheltenham author and volunteer on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR), Nicolas Wheatley, recounts the fascinating story of funeral trains