Leeping Stocks

A reserve with a wide variety of trees, other flowering plants and associated animal life. A great place to spot deer

Location

Leeping Stocks Lane

Great Doward

Herefordshire

HR9 6DZ

OS Map Reference

SO 549 161

View on What3Words

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Know before you go

Size

8 hectares

Parking information

There is parking for up to four cars at the entrance to the reserve.

Grazing animals

None

Walking trails

There are tracks and rides giving access to most parts of the reserve. A large metal deer-fence gate gives access to some of the coppice areas. The second deer-fenced enclosure on the western slope is accessible via a wood bar gate at the top. Please be sure to replace the bars and close the gate when you leave.

Access

There are no surfaced paths and no wheelchair access at this reserve.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Dawn to dusk

Best time to visit

All year round

About the reserve

The name "Leeping" is said to mean "hedges that deer can leap over" while "stock" refers to land with tree stumps left standing on it. The name of the reserve therefore indicates that it was once cleared woodland converted into hedge fields, while the lord of the manor retained his right to hunt deer.

Today, hedges made of laid beech growing on low stone walls still divide the area into twelve compartments. These are now full of forest trees of mainly birch and ash, as well as an unusual and rich variety of both herbaceous plants and fungi. Leeping Stocks wood is part of The Doward Living Landscape - click here for more information..