About the reserve

A former conifer plantation, Brett’s Wood offers an exciting opportunity to create a new, flourishing woodland and heathland reserve with spaces for outdoor learning. There is much work still to be done, but clearings in the conifers have already allowed life to return to the forest floor. 

Currently, the most common bird species are those favouring conifers, such as goldcrest and coal tit, but the site also supports garden warbler, blackcap and willow warbler. In winter, woodcock are also quite common.  

During the autumn, Brett’s Wood is a good place to spot fungi. Fly agaric – the toadstool you’ll know best from fairy tales with its scarlet, white-spotted cap – often grows here. The best time of year to look is September to late October.