Secrets

Few people go here, maybe none at all in this part of the year. No official paths bridleways or public rights of way take you even close. Only by following the tracks of wild animals are you likely to find yourself here to enjoy this view. We need more places where the influence of man has been minimal in recent times.

A certain amount of ducking and weaving is needed when exploring these places and where lots of light gets down in the clearing bracken can become its own jungle, a veritable rain forest. Within the quite young woodland there is evidence of a good balance establishing. The bilberry below provides good ground cover, the birch and rowan between them give their own kind of canopy with shafts of sunlight penetrating and holly and yew are found here and there providing an intermediate layer. Willow can be found in the damper parts. Between the trees there are occasional animal paths which fade out and then reappear. If you're hoping to see deer in these woods it's as well to keep one eye ahead and one on the ground. The sound of a dry twig cracking underfoot can set off a stampede.