Forest and trees from above, Collin Park Wood

Collin Park Wood (c) Nathan Millar

Collin Park Wood (c) Nathan Millar

Collin Park Wood (c) Nathan Millar

Steps through a woodland littered with autumn leaves

Collin Park Woods (c) Nathan Millar

Collin Park Wood

Lying within the gently-rolling countryside around the River Leadon, Collin Park Wood nature reserve is an area of ancient woodland which has been coppiced for centuries.
A great place to immerse yourself in ancient woodland, admire woodland flowers, and watch the colours change in autumn (look for the fruit of the wild service tree).

Location

2 miles north east of Newent, opposite Brand Green Fruit Farm

Upleadon

Forest of Dean

The nearest postcode is GL18 1ED

OS Map Reference

SO746276
What3Words: bells.grove.skimmers

Know before you go

Size

15 hectares

Entry fee

Free

Parking information

There is some roadside parking along Brand Green Road

Grazing animals

None

Walking trails

There are two waymarked trails to follow

Access

There is a wide gateway at the entrance
The woodland is steep in places and can be uneven underfoot depending on the weather

Dogs

Dogs permitted

When to visit

Opening times

Open access throughout the year

Best time to visit

Throughout the year

About the reserve

An area of semi-natural, ancient woodland lying within gently rolling countryside around the River Leadon. It consists mainly of small-leaved lime trees and sessile oak, but also has one of the highest concentrations of wild service tree in Gloucestershire. The fruit of this tree was once known as ‘chequers’ and sold in bunches as children’s sweets.

Collin Park Wood nature reserve is full of woodland flowers throughout spring and summer, including bluebell, foxglove, yellow archangel, wood sage and wood-sorrel.

Bird life is abundant throughout the year, with the distinctive calls of great and lesser spotted woodpeckers being joined by the gentle melodies of willow warblers, chiffchaff and blackcap.

History

Collin Park Wood was first designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1966. Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust purchased the wood with a grant from the World Wildlife Fund in 1979.