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Romers Wood

OS Map: Explorer 203    Grid Ref: SO604632

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Visitor Guidelines | Description | Management |Acquisition | General Info | Downloads

Visitor Guidelines

 

There are clearly-marked rides which will take you to most parts of the wood. In winter or after wet weather, these rides may be muddy and slippery and boots are advised at such times. You may encounter Hornets during summer. Although large and dangerous-looking, these insects have a generally quiet disposition and do not normally attack humans.

 

Description

 

The name Romers is probably a corruption of "rough moors". The reserve is a fine example of ancient woodland, partly lying on a plateau, and partly on a steep south-east facing slope dipping towards Cadmore Brook, which runs in a steep-sided dingle. The western edge of the wood is also bounded by a steep dingle, and along the northern boundary there is a well-defined woodland bank - a strong indicator of an ancient woodland site. Other plants indicating ancient woodland include Bluebell, Wood Anemone, and Yellow Archangel.

The whole wood is underlain by marls and sands derived from Old Red Sandstone, which are exposed in a deep gulley running east towards the Cadmore Brook. Some tufa present in the stream running in this gulley can probably be attributed to base-rich cornstone bands within the Old Red Sandstone. Otherwise the soils of the wood are generally acidic and support a corresponding neutral or acid-loving flora.

Romers Wood was enclosed in 1807 and the records of the Bockleton estate show that shortly afterwards large numbers of trees were planted into the central and southern parts of the site. Many of these were European Larch, which possibly had a depressant effect on the ground flora, accounting for the profuse Bramble growth and patchy distribution of Bluebells today. Thinning operations were carried out in 1865, when many of the present-day Oaks were planted. Further selective thinning of Oak and Ash was carried out by the Trust in 1984, and again in 1995-6, when five clear-fell coupes were opened and replanted, many non-native trees like Sycamore were felled, and alien shrubs like Snowberry were removed. Parts of the upper sections of the wood are permanently damp and have been colonised by rushes, Lady's Smock and Creeping Jenny. Other damp areas along the Cadmore Brook contain many Alders, together with Meadowsweet, Water Avens and Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage. Herb Paris is locally abundant in the wood.

The wood is rich in other wildlife. A survey carried out in 1980 revealed 25 species of mollusc, with several uncommon species restricted to ancient woodlands. The most spectacular insect has to be the Hornet, which can be seen flying around old tree hulks in late summer. Dormice are present in the wood, and foxes may be seen along the rides. Among the bird species, Pied Flycatchers are present but can be elusive. Both Marsh and Willow Tits breed, and there are usually one or two pairs of Wood Warblers and Redstarts. In autumn the wood is worth visiting to see some of the interesting fungi to be found.

 

Present Management

 

The Trust’s aim is to re-establish Oak/Ash high forest containing trees of mixed age classes by selective thinning. A supplementary aim has been to help re-establish the woodland flora in the central and southern sections, much affected by the 19th. century forestry operations.

 

Acquisition Details

 

The Wood was most generously given to HNT, together with Motlins Hole, in 1974 by Col. W.R. Prescott of Bockleton Court.

 

General Information

 
Best time to visit
  All times of year.
Habitat
  Ancient semi-natural Oak/Ash woodland with 19th century planting.

Size

  12.5 hectares (30 acres).
Specialites
  Dormice. Wood Warbler (4-7), Pied Flycatcher (4-7), Redstart (4-7), Willow Tit, Raven. Herb Paris (4-6), Water Avens (4-9), Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage (3-7), Yellow Archangel (5-6), Hornet (Spring-summer). Parasol Toadstools Lepiota spp., Hen of the Woods Grifola frondosa.
Parking
  Park on the grass verge next to the Memorial Hall (See Motlins Hole).
OS map
   
Nearby Reserves
  Motlins Hole & Upper Swingley Wood.
 
 

Downloads

 

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Herefordshire Nature Trust is a registered charity, number 220173, and a company limited by guarantee, number 743899.
Registered Office: Lower House Farm, Ledbury Rd, Tupsley, Hereford, HR1 1UT

Last updated Monday, June 8, 2009 © Herefordshire Nature Trust 2007. All rights reserved.
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