Lees Wood is part of an old Pine Plantation planted, with some parts remaining ancient broadleaf. Before that and on early maps we can establish that there was a certain degree of large fields and woodland in the area.

Since the site opened in 1964 there have been many changes on the site. Whilst there are some very old majestic trees, like the Beech tree lending its name to the Beechwood site, and a number of mature oaks, a Majority of the woodland has been left as pine.

As you look at the site now, a majority of the broadleaf has been planted since the site opened, often in small pockets. It is the intention over many years that eventually the pine will be removed and broadleaf restored to the land.

The trees only play a small part in the Lees Wood you see today, there is an abundance of wildlife around the site. There are plenty of birds from Garden birds to birds of prey. As well as an abundance of Muntjac and a visiting herd of Roe Deer. Not to mention the many badgers, foxes, squirrels and other British woodland wildlife you’d expect to encounter.

The best way to view the site is by means of the Nature trail, which runs the full perimeter of the site, with information about the wildlife you could encounter.

Conservation and You

At Lees Wood there is always scope for you to join in with the conservation efforts, whether it’s just gaining an understanding, creating a bug hotel or bird house all the way up to joining in on regular site and woodland maintenance. Please get in contact and let us know what you want to do, someone from the team will get back to you.

In 2017 and 2018, Lees Wood hosted 2 tree planting days, which saw over 1800 small trees and hedging plants added to Lees Wood, as work goes on, it’s envisaged more days like this would be in the calendar, head over to the events page for more information.

Interested in Badges and activities related to the woodland, check out the downloads page.