About the reserve

Bradfield Woods is one of Britain’s finest ancient woodlands and is a glorious haven for wildlife. Bradfield woods is a working wood that is unique as it has been under continuous traditional coppice management since 1252. Coppicing is a traditional method of woodland management where stems are cut at ground level promoting vigorous re-growth. Some ash coppice stools in Bradfield Wood are thought to be over 1000 years old. 

If you are interested in buying coppice products from Bradfield Woods please click below:

Coppicing products for sale

As the coppice shoots regenerate, their dense bushy growth provides excellent cover for migrant songbirds such as garden warbler, blackcap and willow warbler. Mammals including the stoat, yellow-necked mouse, dormouse and badger are also resident. On sunny summer days the sheltered rides create the prefect habitat for butterflies, of which there are 24 species. Of special note is the white admiral butterfly which can be seen sipping nectar from the flowers on bramble or look up into the top of an oak tree to catch a glimpse of a purple hairstreak.

Bradfield Woods has benefited from a gift in the will of Peter Mitchell:

Bradfield Woods legacy story