Scholes Coppice facts for kids
Scholes Coppice, also known as Scholes Wood, is a special area of very old woodland. It is located near Kimberworth in South Yorkshire, England. This woodland was once part of a deer park. It holds many interesting historical sites.
The most important site is an Iron Age hill fort. This fort is called Caesar's Camp or Castle Holmes. It is a protected historical site. Parts of it were dug up by archaeologists in the 1990s.
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Exploring Scholes Coppice Woodland
Scholes Coppice is a beautiful and historic place. It is a great spot to learn about nature and the past. This area is known for its ancient trees and hidden historical secrets.
What is Ancient Woodland?
Ancient woodland means a forest that has been around for a very long time. It has been continuously wooded since at least the year 1600. These woodlands are very important for wildlife. They have rich soil and many different kinds of plants and animals. Scholes Coppice is one of these special places.
A Look Back in Time: The Hill Fort
The Iron Age hill fort within Scholes Coppice is a fascinating part of its history. The Iron Age was a time in history when people started using iron tools. This period was from about 800 BC to 100 AD.
What is a Hill Fort?
A hill fort is a type of fort built on a hill. People in the Iron Age built them for protection. They often had large banks and ditches around them. These structures helped to defend the people living inside.
Caesar's Camp: A Closer Look
The hill fort in Scholes Coppice is known as Caesar's Camp or Castle Holmes. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This means it is a nationally important historical site. It is protected by law.
Archaeologists studied parts of the fort in the 1990s. They found an outer bank that is 2 to 5 metres high. This bank is also 15 metres wide. It might have had a wooden fence, called a palisade, on top of it. Next to this bank is a wide ditch, also about 15 metres across. There is no clear entrance to the fort. This suggests it was very well protected.
Scholes Coppice as a Nature Reserve
In 1996, Scholes Coppice became a Local Nature Reserve. This happened thanks to the Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. A Local Nature Reserve is an area that is important for wildlife. It is also a place where people can enjoy nature.
Keppel's Field: Part of the Reserve
The area called Keppel's Field is next to Scholes Coppice. It was once part of the woodland itself. Today, it is also included in the Local Nature Reserve. This helps protect even more of the natural habitat. Being a nature reserve means the area is managed to help plants and animals thrive. It also provides a green space for people to visit and learn.
