Knowles Coppice

7.5ha

Permit required for meadow

Dog on a lead

Volunteer Group

A small woodland in the heart of the Wyre Forest.

Location

Dry Mill Lane

Bewdley

Worcestershire

DY12 2LX (nearest)

Know before you go

Size

8 hectares

Parking information

Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve Dry Mill Lane car park

Grazing animals

Cattle in meadow

Walking trails

There are numerous trails in the Wyre Forest. If parking in the Dry Mill Lane car park, a walk along the disused railway line, down the footpath through Knowles Coppice and returning along Dry Mill Lane next to the Dowles Brook is a good short route.

Access

From car park walk approximately one mile along stoned track of old railway line; the reserve entrance is on the right. Steep path and steps on the reserve; will be slippery and muddy when wet. One ladder-stile. There is no access to the meadow.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Dawn to dusk.

Best time to visit

All year round

About the reserve

In the heart of the Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve lies Knowles Coppice; a mature sessile oak woodland, a small meadow and a short stretch of the Dowles Brook.

The main block of woodland is situated on a small plateau of acidic soils with a further long strip on steep streamside banks. Along with the oaks, the wood also contains birch, holly, wild service trees and planted larch. With the disappearance of commercial coppicing, the wood has changed much in the last few decades but it remains a beautiful place and an area of remarkable ecological importance.

The small meadow has more basic soils that have been deposited by the brook; cowslips, devil’s-bit scabious, common valerian and wood club-rush grow here. The damp sides of the brook are home to ferns and mosses whilst there’s a chance you may see dippers, grey wagtails and kingfishers on the brook itself.

Please note that there is no access to the meadow. Cycling is not allowed anywhere on the nature reserve.