About the reserve

At over 400 years old, this ancient semi-natural woodland near Shamley Green is a rare haven for wildlife. But Cucknell’s Wood is no wilderness. Careful management enables a wide range of species to flourish, including many precious wildflowers.

The spring flora is spectacular, with lime-green wood sorrel, starry white clusters of Wood Anemone and glorious carpets of Bluebells beneath a canopy of oak, Alder, Rowan and Hazel.

Species such as Golden Saxifrage, Marsh Marigolds and Bog Stitchwort can be found in damp areas, whilst an Alder Carr is situated at the northern end of the site, where the ground is particularly boggy.

April sees the flowering of Early Purple and Common Spotted Orchids, followed in early summer by another orchid, the yellow-green Twayblade.

In the top corner of the wood you’ll come across an open sunny glade known as Snakes Alley. Here many different butterfly species are attracted by the wealth of wildflowers from late spring. You might even come across the occasional snake!

You would be lucky to see a Dormouse at any time of year, but you can often find evidence of one in the dead Honeysuckle bark it strips to build its nest. 

Another elusive species is the long-billed Woodcock, although if you wait until evening you may see it ‘roding’ or flying a regular circuit in a territorial display.

Other birds species found in the woodland include the Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, Tawny Owl and a resident family of Buzzards. The rare Lesser Spotted Woodpecker has also been recorded at the site.

Watch a 360 video of the Bluebells at Cucknell's Wood on Youtube