Avon Valley Woods

Spread across an impressive 139 hectares, this collection of woodlands, centred around the River Avon, is located in the heart of the south Devon national landscape. Comprising a diverse mix of steep, valley-sided ancient woodland and new deciduous forest planted after the millennium, the older woods represent the very first site purchased by the Woodland Trust in 1972. Easy to access via car parks and footpaths, look out for evidence of dormice by searching for nibbled hazelnuts, and in summer the woodland glades play host to silver-washed fritillary butterflies.

Coed Felenrhyd

This rare Atlantic oak woodland sits both above the Vale of Ffestiniog and within the Eryri national park (or Snowdonia). One of the Woodland Trust’s largest woodlands in Wales, this upland reserve is a birdwatchers’ paradise – with ravens nesting on the cliffs, dippers along the river, while redstart and pied flycatcher nest in the woodland. Felenrhyd is also considered one of the best lichen sites in Wales, which marvellously showcases the clean Welsh air.

Credenhill Park Wood

Formed on a rounded knoll, with views over both the Wye valley and the Black Mountains, this woodland is steeped in history. At the summit of the woods lies the site of an iron age hillfort, before being appropriated by the Roman army. The woodland’s next chapter then saw it converted to a medieval deer park, while nowadays the wildlife is placed front and centre. Here, the woodland flora are the stars of the show, with ancient woodland indicators such as herb-paris and early purple orchid.

Mourne Park

Located equidistant between Belfast and Dublin and in the heart of the iconic Mourne Mountains, Mourne Park was once part of a large estate hosting the rich and famous. However, the estate’s ancient woodland has now been placed front and centre, with ecological restoration devoted to enhancing one of Northern Ireland’s rarest habitats. Why not take in the panoramic views from the summit of Knockchree Hill? Alternatively, take your pick from the Bluebell Walk, Whitewater Trail or Woodland Loop, while looking out for everything from otters to dippers.

Great Knott Wood

Occupying a stunning spot on the south-west shores of Lake Windermere, in Cumbria, this ancient woodland took a beating from Storm Arwen in 2021, when a huge number of trees were lost. Currently a mosaic of conifers and broad-leaved trees, the Woodland Trust is working hard to restore the woodland to its former glory by the careful removal of felled trees and replanting of native and locally sourced shrubs and trees. Possessing a number of ancient and imposing yew trees, the woodland is also home to the iconic and enchanting red squirrel.

Hackfall

Situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Hackfall covers 47 hectares of ancient woodland within a steep rocky gorge along the River Ure. In the 18th century, the woodland was transformed into an ornamental and naturalistic landscape by the gardener William Aislabie – complete with magical grottos and rustic temples. However, Hackfall then went through a period of neglect, until efforts were recently made to preserve the buildings and manage the woods. Now transformed, the river’s margins are great places to look for dippers, grey wagtails and common sandpipers in the summer.

Hainault Forest

Once a royal hunting forest to provide venison for Henry I, Hainault is one of the few remaining sections of the former Forest of Essex. Located close to the M25, this easily accessed woodland is little more than a stone’s throw from London. The reserve comprises a terrific array of habitats, and is where ancient woodland and wood pasture intermingle seamlessly with grassland, heathland and wetland. This marvellous mosaic creates immense diversity, with firecrests, turtle doves and nightingales all claiming spring territories among the woodland’s stately oaks and hornbeams.

Lang Craigs

Lying at the foothills of the Kilpatrick Hills, Lang Craigs’ location close to Glasgow makes it the perfect day out from Scotland’s largest city. Formed originally by volcanic lava 360m years ago, before being sculpted by a procession of ice age glaciers, the site now offers a heady mix of ancient woodland, rugged moorland, rolling hills and jagged outcrops. And for those keen to hike, the views of the River Clyde and Dumbarton Castle to the south and the imposing peak of Ben Lomond to the north are nothing short of spectacular.

Loch Arkaig Pine Forest

Loch Arkaig Pine Forest is one of the last remaining fragments of the great Caledonian pine forest, which originally spread for more than 1.5m hectares. Running along the southern shore of Loch Arkaig, the reserve has a remote, wet and “wild west” feel. Home to some spectacular “granny pines”, which are in turn festooned with mosses and liverworts, the roll call of wildlife here is nothing short of world class. Visitors should look out for pine marten, red deer, red squirrel, wild boar and golden eagle, while osprey breed along the loch in the summer.

Skipton Castle Woods

Situated alongside one of Britain’s best-known medieval castles, which is centrally positioned within the town, Skipton Castle Woods is one of our rarest commodities – an ancient woodland just off the high street! Having been used as a source of water, fuel, timber and game by the castle’s inhabitants, the woods’ history is also tied up with the town’s more recent industrial heritage. Set in a river valley, this family-friendly forest encourages children to go geocaching, while those keen on wildlife can look for kingfishers by day and bats at dusk.