It was Good Friday yesterday, the traditional day for planting ‘ones’ potatoes. Easter is earlier than usual this year and soil conditions are not right for planting out spuds at the moment, we decided to give the allotment a miss and made our way to Browns Wood instead. You can’t waste a rain-free bank holiday!

Although it wasn’t raining the weather is stuck on constant ‘freeze-your-bits-off mode’, we wrapped up warm and walked the short distance to Browns Wood entrance. We’re incredibly fortunate to have beautiful woodland such as this right on our doorstep.

Entrance to Browns Wood millennium site via Oakley village, Bedfordshire

Fallow land adjoining Browns Wood was used to mark the millennium with 26,000 trees planted and paid for by the Forestry Commission, set out with pathways and large open areas of grassland, the tree planting scheme extended the woodland site by 31 acres. This area is also known as Millennium Browns Wood. The main trees are Ash, Oak, and Field Maple with Beech and Hornbeam at the top of the hill. Excellent views over Bedfordshire can be seen from this area.

Views of Bedfordshire farmland from Browns Wood millennium site

Young trees planted to celebrate the millennium, extending the already beautiful Browns Wood

 Browns Wood millennium site

There’s a public bridleway path via Oakley village entrance to Browns Wood, it’s also a great place to walk dogs.

Public bridleway at Browns Wood, entrance via Oakley, Bedfordshire

Teasel

Teasel can be found everywhere at the millennium site of Browns Wood. Visited by bees and butterflies when in flower and birds when seeding.

Tree pruning in Browns Wood

Browns Wood millennium site on the hill. Can you see the trees of ancient Browns Wood in the distance?

Ghost leaves. Beech leaves hanging on from winter, rustling in the wind creating a ghostly sound.

We continued on and made our way to the oldest part Browns Wood. This beautiful ancient woodland dates back to around 1750 and was planted by the Duke of Bedford. Full of mature trees and woodland plants, it’s an important area for many species of wildlife and a magical place to wander through.

Browns Wood information board

The odd spell of sunshine managed to filter through the canopy of naked trees (wearing nothing but years of ivy), illuminating the woodland floor.

Woodland floor

Browns Wood

Browns Wood

Fallen trees blanketed in a rich woodland carpet, the perfect habitat for many species of wildlife.

Moss covered fallen tree

The forest floor glittered in shades of green. New shoots emerging to find the light, protected from the cruel weather by ancient woodland guards standing to attention.

Woodland floor, Browns Wood Bedfordshire

After an enjoyable walk we made our way back home, cold but recharged by being outdoors.

Look what a bit of fresh air does to me!

Happy Easter everyone!