SHERRARDSPARK WOOD Local Nature Reserve Introduction Wildlife Importance Key: Current Management Sherrardspark Wood is one of In 1986, the wood’s large size combined with its diversity of wildlife Entrance N All work carried out in the wood Hertfordshire’s largest and most habitats especially its locally characteristic mixture of oak and hornbeam Boundary follows a plan agreed by Natural important oak woodlands. It led to the wood being declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Public Footpath England and the Forestry Commission extends to approximately 80 A wide variety of other tree and shrub species provide food for birds Public Bridleway and aims at all times to maintain and hectares (200 acres) and has some and insects and the wood is also home to one of Hertfordshire’s rarest Permissive Horse Ride enhance the wood’s biodiversity whilst of the county’s finest oak and mammals – the common or hazel dormouse. The distribution of Ayot Green Way simultaneously encouraging informal hornbeam trees. There is an breeding pairs of woodpeckers has been studied for over twenty years recreation and enjoyment. 0 Approximately 400 metres extensive network of paths which and the wood is one of Hertfordshire’s most important sites for fungi. can be explored by visitors on foot, Recent forestry operations have encouraged the horseback and bicycle. regeneration of heather. History B Ling e s s e m e r Sherrardspark Wood is an ancient R o a d woodland and there is archaeological Great Spotted Malms Wood Uplan evidence to suggest that people lived here Woodpecker ds irklands d K Sessile Oak A1M o 4,000 years ago. Domesday Book recorded wo s k on Knight M sf the wood as belonging to Digswell Manor ield and, with other woodlands on the estate, providing food for 150 swine. Work includes: e al Rectory kd Homer’s a Wood O •Thinning of small areas of oak trees to encourage natural regeneration Over hundreds of years, the wood has seen many changes: the Wood harvesting and planting of oak trees; coppicing of hornbeam; •Coppicing of hornbeam in Brocks Wood to create dormouse habitat •Widening of paths to let in light and sunshine d K construction of railway lines, planting of conifers and other exotic a n o i g R h y t r s •Way-marking and other maintenance along rights of way o f t i species such as rhododendron; a large increase in the number of visitors; e c e l d the arrival of grey squirrels and muntjac deer. R •Provision of benches •Removal of rhododendron and sycamore M In 1920, Sherrardspark Wood was acquired by Sir Ebenezer Howard for 1 •Planting of new trees A the building of Welwyn Garden City. Parts of the wood were used to Digswell Place This work will continue in the future. l build houses but a ‘Save the Woods’ campaign led to the l i H R l e l c e to w ry remainder of the wood being preserved for public s R You can Help! g i o ad enjoyment. The wood has remained in local authority Ayot Green Way to D Wheathampstead Much of the work in the wood could not be achieved without the help l l ownership ever since and is now a much-loved and e D Te t and support of the Sherrardspark Wood Wardens Society who give mp a le e appreciated part of Welwyn Garden City. wo r od G hundreds of hours of their time and energy each year in practical Brock’s Wood maintenance tasks and leading a programme of walks for the public. For further information, please contact: Six Ways Wood lan d Ri The Landscape & Ecology Officer se Great North Road e s i R Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council e l l i v e d n A1M Campus East, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6AE a M Fly Agaric Tel: 01707 357000 www.welhat.gov.uk S herr ardspark R oad ings Please follow the Woodland Code to be found at entrances. Dormouse dd e R Horse-riders and cyclists are allowed only on the public e v Brock ri d swood D a o Lan ood bridleways and on permissive horse-rides. e w R d Roun swell • No fires • No shooting • No camping Dig us mp Ca e Th Road Bridge Produced by Fitzpatrick Woolmer Design 01634 711 771 Design 01634 Woolmer Fitzpatrick by Produced .