700,000 Years in the Making: Visiting Pound Wood in Hadleigh
Discover the hidden wonders of Pound Wood at Daws Heath. This ancient Hadleigh woodland boasts a rich tapestry of history, from medieval estates to the local gunpowder industry. Whether you're a nature lover or history buff, this accessible walk offers 700,000 years of secrets just waiting to be explored today.
DID YOU KNOW that Pound Wood at Daws Heath in Hadleigh is hiding a rich history beneath those wonderful trees! Here are four things you might be interested to learn.
Pound Wood, Tile Wood and nearby Tylerset Farm were once part of an estate belonging to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey, with records stretching back to at least the 13th century.
Daws Heath was also known for its hornbeam charcoal, which was taken towards London and used in the gunpowder industry. There’s still a part of the wood called Charcoal Corner!
Careful coppicing also helps the rare heath fritillary butterfly thrive here, while immediately north of the wood is a nationally protected Romano-British site. And beneath your feet? Gravel deposited by an ancient course of the River Medway more than 700,000 years ago!
Best of all, Essex Wildlife Trust has created a lovely, fairly flat circular route around the wood, making it an enjoyable wander for people with a wide range of walking abilities. History, wildlife and a lovely local walk, definitely worth exploring!
