About the reserve

Essex Wildlife Trust manages Little Haven woods for our partners Havens Hospices as part of their Little Haven Hospice grounds. This wood forms part of the historical woodlands of the Daws Heath area, spanning from Hadleigh Great Wood in the east to Valerie Wells Wood in the west. 

Spring is when the wood comes alive! Before the tree's leaf buds explode and the tree canopy closes, the light can reach the woodland floor enabling the woodland herbs the chance to flower. Impressive displays of wood anemone, lesser celandine and bluebells create an array of white, yellow and blue. An early morning visit at this time of year can always be rewarded by the sound of song thrush, blackcap or the drumming of great-spotted woodpecker creating a rich dawn chorus.

The summer is the best time to see the flowering plants on the acidic grassland with regionally scarce plants such as Goldenrod, Heath Speedwell and Heath Milkwort all growing beneath the pylon corridor in this rare habitat. The dense hedges also provide important nesting sites for summer migrants such as whitethroat.

The autumnal colours are always worth seeing, and exploring the woodland floor will undoubtedly turn up fascinating fungi in various shapes and sizes.

The variety of habitats mean this wonderful woodland is worth a visit at any time of year.