Stoke and Bowd Lane Woods facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Bowd Lane Wood
|
|
| Area of Search | Northamptonshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 36.4 hectares |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Stoke and Bowd Lane Woods is a special natural area in Northamptonshire, west of Corby. It covers about 36.4 hectares, which is like 50 football fields! This area is called a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because it has important plants and animals. It was officially recognized as an SSSI in 1986.
These woods are very old and have been around for a long time. They used to be part of a huge medieval hunting ground called the Royal Forest of Rockingham.
Contents
What Makes These Woods Special?
Stoke and Bowd Lane Woods are known for their amazing plant life. They are considered "ancient semi-natural woods." This means they have been continuously wooded for hundreds of years, and the trees and plants growing there are mostly native to the area.
Trees You Might See
The main tree you'll find here is the pedunculate oak. These are big, strong trees that are common in English woodlands. You can also spot other trees like ash and birch.
Amazing Ground Plants
Look down, and you'll see a variety of beautiful plants growing on the forest floor. These include:
- Herb paris
- Wood sorrel (which has pretty clover-like leaves)
- Yellow archangel
- Early-purple orchid
- Greater butterfly-orchid
These plants show that the woods are very healthy and have a rich natural history.
Who Looks After the Woods?
Stoke and Bowd Lane Woods have different owners and managers:
- The eastern part of Stoke Wood is cared for by the Woodland Trust.
- A smaller, triangular section called the Stoke Wood End Quarter is a nature reserve managed by the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. This part is about 0.7 hectares.
- The rest of Stoke Wood and all of Bowd Lane Wood are privately owned.
Visiting Stoke Wood
You can visit parts of Stoke Wood! There is public access to the areas managed by the Woodland Trust and the Wildlife Trust. You can reach these parts by following a track from the B669, Desborough Road. It's a great place to explore nature and see the special plants and trees up close.
