Upper Rapeland Wood facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Upper Rapeland Wood
Type	Mixed woodland
Location	Old Holbrook, Horsham, England
OS grid	TQ188354
Area	0.04 sq mi (0.11 km2)

Upper Rapeland Wood, sometimes called Upper Rapelands Wood, is a beautiful forest near Horsham, England. It's located on a hill called Rapeland Hill, close to a small village named Old Holbrook. This woodland is special because it's quite high up, about 350 feet (107 meters) above sea level.

The wood is home to many different kinds of trees. You'll find lots of broadleaf trees, especially where there's moss on the ground. In the middle of the wood, there are tall pine trees and small, shallow valleys. Three streams, which are part of Northlands Gill, flow right through Upper Rapeland Wood.

You can explore the wood using its network of paths. Even though these paths aren't regularly maintained, they can help you find your way around.

What is Upper Rapeland Wood?

Upper Rapeland Wood is a mixed woodland, meaning it has both broadleaf trees (like oak or beech) and conifer trees (like pine). It's located in Old Holbrook, a small community near the town of Horsham in England. The wood sits on Rapeland Hill, which is why it's quite high up. It's also very close to Northlands Copse, another area of old forest.

Exploring the Woodland

The wood has many paths that let you walk through it. These paths aren't always perfectly clear, but they can guide you through the different parts of the forest. It's a great place to explore nature and see different types of trees and plants.

Trees and Streams

In the northern and southern parts of Upper Rapeland Wood, you'll mostly see broadleaf trees. These areas often have moss growing on the ground, making them look very green. The middle of the wood is different, with many tall pine trees and small, narrow valleys.

A special feature of the wood is Northlands Gill. This is a stream that actually splits into three smaller channels as it flows through Upper Rapeland Wood. These streams add to the natural beauty of the area.

History of Upper Rapeland Wood

Upper Rapeland Wood has an interesting past, especially when it comes to mining. Long ago, people looked for iron in this area.

Iron Mining in the Past

During the 1500s and 1600s, people actively searched for iron ore in this region. Iron ore is a rock from which iron metal can be extracted. Experts who study rocks and the Earth (called geologists) have found the remains of an old mine pit in Upper Rapeland Wood. This pit is where people would have dug for iron.

The wood is located in a special geological area called the Faygate Syncline. Most iron pits in this area are found in a type of rock called Horsham Stone. However, the mine pit in Upper Rapeland Wood is unusual because it's found in sandstone instead. Scientists think a small stream flowing through the wood might have helped expose the ironstone in this specific spot.

The Mystery of Dismal Castle

If you look at old maps from the late 1800s and early 1900s, you might see something called "Dismal Castle" marked on the edge of Upper Rapeland Wood. This wasn't actually a castle! It was a small house where the gamekeeper for the nearby Hyde estate lived. The cottage was taken down in 1987, and a new building stands there now.

Gallery

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  Pine trees and ravines dominate the central areas of the woodland

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  Plants such as common primrose can be seen in these woods

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  A bridge allows Northlands Gill to flow into Upper Rapeland Wood

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  Holly leaves on a plant in the north of the woodland