Waresley & Gransden Woods

Welcome to waresleywood.co.uk, a website dedicated to providing information on all topics relating to the Waresley and Gransden Woods reserves of The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.

News - 08/05/2025

The bluebell season may be nearly over, but there is still plenty to see and enjoy in the woods. As always in a natural environment, visitors should take care, wear sturdy footwear and keep to the paths.

One of the paths in the wood still remains temporarily closed until the ground dries enough for the removal of ruts along it. This closure means that the first section of the re-profiled "main ride" has become a cul de sac, without exit. The second, newly profiled ride section will remain closed for two years to allow the ground to resettle and re-generate. Please respect the Trust's wishes by not entering this area.

07/05/2025 - on my return to the wood after a short break away, I find that the trees have grown a top covering of leaves. The recently felled areas have becomed softened by emerging vegetation (and of course a showing of bluebells). The bluebells are past their best but will still be hanging on for a while longer. The newly coppiced and re-profiled part of the main ride is now considerably greener!

07/05/2025 - good examples of early purple orchids can be seen in many parts of the woods, especially in the sunny areas along the South path. 43 different species of flora and fauna have been seen out of a potential 113 so far, check them out on my Sightings page.

07/05/2025 - two years ago wild garlic appeared in the wood, near to the small meadow. There is now about a metre square clump of these plants, as shown to the right / below with obligatory bluebells. Perhaps a mixed blessing due to the ablity of garlic to swamp out all other vegetation.

17/04/2025 - today we spotted our first early purple orchids flowering in the woods. This example, and others, were found along the South Path. Watch you step though as they're right on the path edge.

First early purple orchids flowering spotted