Suggestions for England's ancient forests?

[mshea]

Hi All,

We head to England for two weeks at the beginning of June. Spending three or four days in the Yorkshire Dales. After the Dales, nothing is set in stone, though we're thinking of wandering down the west coast on our way to relatives in West Sussex. I'll be working a lot—though not exclusively—in B&W and would appreciate suggestions about old-growth forests, i.e.gnarled trees, moss, rock outcroppings and the like. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks,

Merrill

[Chairman Bill]

I'd guess you'll actually be wandering down the east coast to West Sussex, but just in case you are heading down the west side of Britain, one of the most ancient bits of forest has recently been revealed on the west coast of Wales, at Borth in Cardigan Bay, where winter storms swept away sand and underlying peat at the coast, revealing the remains of 5,000 - 6,000 year old oaks, alder & birch.

Further south west, Dartmoor has a number of areas of truly ancient oak forest, Black'a'tor copse & Wistman's Wood.

This will be quite a bit out of your way if you're heading for Sussex

[markadams99]

Kingly Vale, West Sussex.

"The reserve contains one of the finest yew forests in western Europe, including a grove of ancient trees which are among the oldest living things in Britain"

[mshea]

Yes, we'll be heading down the west coast. We will definitely be wandering through Dartmoor for a few days. These are just the sorts of locales I've been looking for. Thanks so much for the suggestions!

Merrill

[john beardsworth]

I've never been there, but Wistmans Wood would be the place I'd go on Dartmoor.