Hunthouse Wood

This reserve consists of the three small woodlands of Hunthouse, Winricks and Brockhill.  Together they cover about half of Dumbleton Dingle Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) just south of Mamble on the north side of the Teme Valley.

The woodland is a rich mixture of oak, ash, wych elm, gigantic old cherries and rowans along with both small- and large-leaved lime and many others.  The reserve is intersected by a steep sided stream valley.  We’ve managed the site since 1976 and have more recently acquired a long strip of farmland around the woodland.  These have been fenced and the woodland shrubs allowed to naturally regenerate the former farmland.  This provides a buffer between the wood and surrounding farmland, creating ‘edge habitats’ which are valuable for a range of wildlife.

Parts of the reserve are amongst the most impenetrable and undisturbed woods in the county, making for a rich and varied wildlife.  Other parts are more open with sunny glades, grasslands and butterflies including silver-washed fritillaries.

Several side streams cut into the carboniferous coal seams; in places outcrops of limestone, sandstone and coal can be seen.  Part of the reserve was once worked by the adjacent Hunthouse Colliery.  Some of the tramways that were created for coal extraction are still apparent despite the colliery being abandoned for many years.  When the trees are bare in winter you can also see the old engine sites and tips amongst the shrubs and trees.

The valley is damp with abundant ferns and mosses as well as streamside plants such as golden saxifrage, small teasel and giant horsetail.