Suffolk Wildlife Trust
It is one of Britain’s finest ancient woodlands and is a glorious haven for wildlife.
Bradfield woods is a working wood that is unique as it has been under continuous traditional coppice management since 1252, fulfilling local needs for firewood and hazel products. Coppicing is a traditional method of woodland management where stems are cut at ground level promoting vigorous re-growth. Some Ash coppice stools in Bradifeld Wood are thought to be over 1000 years old.
Coppice products from Bradfield Wood are still sold today -view our range of coppice products
As the coppice shoots regenerate, their dense bushy growth provides excellent cover for migrant songbirds such as garden warbler, blackcap and willow warbler. Mammals including the stoat, yellow-necked mouse, dormouse and badger are also resident. On sunny summer days the sheltered rides create the prefect habitat for butterflies, of which there are 24 species. Of special note is the white admiral butterfly which can be seen sipping nectar from the flowers on bramble or look up into the top of an oak tree to catch a glimpse of a purple hairstreak.
Bradfield Woods has benefited from a gift in the will of Peter Mitchell
Take a virtual tour to see the beautiful bluebells at Bradfield Woods:
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Nearby nature reserves
- Bull's Wood
- 2 miles - Suffolk Wildlife Trust
- Grove Farm
- 4 miles - Suffolk Wildlife Trust
- Micklemere
- 7 miles - Suffolk Wildlife Trust