Whippendell Wood facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Glade in Whippendell Wood
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| Area of Search | Hertfordshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 66.9 hectares |
| Notification | 1984 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Whippendell Wood is an ancient woodland located near Watford, England. It covers about 165 acres (67 hectares) and is looked after by Watford Borough Council. This special place has been a Site of Special Scientific Interest since 1954 because of its amazing wildlife. Its name comes from an old Anglo-Saxon name, "Wippa denu," which means "Wippa's valley."
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History of Whippendell Wood
Whippendell Wood is known as an ancient woodland. This means trees have grown here continuously since at least the year 1600. The wood used to be part of a large area called the Cassiobury estate.
You can still see a path of lime trees that were planted a very long time ago, in 1672! This path cuts diagonally through the wood. Over the years, some parts of the wood were replanted, especially in the 1700s and 1800s. More trees were planted in the 1940s and 1960s. In 1987, a big storm damaged many trees, but the wood has recovered.
Wildlife in Whippendell Wood
Whippendell Wood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a very important place for nature. It's special because of its many different types of fungi and small creatures called invertebrates. It was first listed as an SSSI in 1954.
Plants and Trees (Flora)
Many different kinds of trees grow in the wood. The most common ones are oak, beech, ash, and silver birch. You can also find cherry, hawthorn, hazel, holly, and hornbeam trees.
Some Sycamore trees are also in the wood. However, these are being removed. This is because they are not native to the area and can take over from local plants.
The wood is famous for its beautiful bluebells. They create a stunning blue carpet, especially in April and May. There are also a few rare types of fungus here. One is called Crepidotus cinnabarinus. This fungus has only been seen three other times in all of Europe! It was first found in Whippendell Wood in 1995. Samples of it are now kept at Kew Gardens.
Animals (Fauna)
Whippendell Wood is home to many different animals. You can find several types of birds here, including:
Mammals that live in the wood include bats, badgers, and deer.
Using Whippendell Wood Today
Whippendell Wood is open for everyone to enjoy. There are many footpaths and special orienteering routes you can follow. It's a popular place for people to walk their dogs. Many people also use it as a shortcut to get to Cassiobury Park. Horses are not allowed inside the wood itself, but there is a track for horse riders around its edge.
Did you know Whippendell Wood has been used for filming movies? It was a filming location for Star Wars! The outdoor scenes for the planet Naboo in the 1999 movie, The Phantom Menace, were filmed right here. Whippendell Wood has also appeared in TV shows like Holby City and Silent Witness.
Watford Borough Council owns the wood and looks after it. The money they get from filming and from the Forestry Commission helps them maintain this beautiful natural space.
