Bisham Woods facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 86.0 hectares (213 acres) |
| Notification | 1984 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Bisham Woods is a wonderful place to explore, located west of Cookham in Berkshire. It's a huge area of 86-hectare (210-acre) of nature, full of interesting plants and animals. This special woodland is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's one of the best places in the country for its wildlife or geology.
Bisham Woods is also a Local Nature Reserve, which means it's protected for wildlife and people to enjoy. It's even part of a bigger area called the Chilterns Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation. This shows how important it is for nature! The Woodland Trust has owned and looked after a large part of Bisham Woods since 1990.
Contents
Discover Bisham Woods
Bisham Woods is made up of several different sections, each with its own special features.
Exploring the Ancient Woodlands
The northern part of Bisham Woods is very old. It's called an ancient woodland SSSI. Here, you'll find areas known as Quarry Wood, Fultness Wood, High Wood, and Inkydown Wood.
Nature's Beauty by the River
These northern woods are close to the River Thames. They offer amazing views across the Chiltern Hills. You can find beautiful beech trees here. Look closely, and you might even spot some rare woodland orchids!
The Bluebell Woods
Other parts of Bisham Woods were planted more recently, in the 1800s and 1900s. These sections include Park Wood, High Wood, Goulding's Wood, Carpenters Wood, and Dungrovehill Wood. They are especially famous for their stunning displays of bluebells in spring. These areas are closer to Maidenhead, near the A308 and A404 roads.
Visiting Bisham Woods
Bisham Woods is open for everyone to visit. There are many paths and bridleways, perfect for walking or horse riding. You can also find parking nearby, making it easy to access.
A Walk Through History
Bisham Woods has a long and fascinating history, with many stories to tell.
Stone for Windsor Castle
Quarry Wood is home to Bisham Quarry. This quarry was a very important source of stone way back in medieval times. A lot of this stone was used to help build the famous Windsor Castle!
The Earls of Salisbury's Estate
For hundreds of years, the woods were part of the huge Bisham Estates. These estates belonged to the Earls of Salisbury, powerful noble families.
An Old Ice House
Deep within the woods, you can find an ice house. It was built in the 1760s. People used it to store ice for Bisham Abbey, a nearby historic building. Today, the ice house is opened to the public a few times a year.
The Wild Wood from a Famous Book
Did you know that Bisham Woods is the original 'Wild Wood' from Kenneth Grahame's famous book, The Wind in the Willows? Kenneth Grahame wrote this classic story in the nearby village of Cookham Dean.
A Poet's Inspiration
The famous poet Percy Bysshe Shelley also found inspiration in the Bisham Woods area. He composed his poem The Revolt of Islam here in 1817. At that time, he was living in Marlow.
A Place of Remembrance
In Carpenters Wood, there is a special memorial. It marks the crash site of a Halifax Bomber from the Royal Air Force 578 Squadron. This plane crashed on July 18, 1944, during World War II. The memorial was officially opened on July 18, 1998, to remember those who were lost.
