About the reserve

The Arboretum is famed for both spring blossom and autumn colour while the surrounding ancient woodland (designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest) offers walks through acres of wildlife-rich habitat.

The site also offers a woodland playground, Gruffalo Trail, Visitor Centre and gift shop and café.

Queenswood is a fragment of the vast ancient oak wood that once stretched to the Welsh borders and beyond. It was held by the crown on and off throughout the ages and changed its name from 'Kings Wood' to 'Queenswood' in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

The woodland is now managed as a nature reserve and its ecological importance recognised by its designation as a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). More than 190 plant species have been recorded; this is high for a Herefordshire woodland and includes scarce species such as wood vetch and birds nest orchid. Nationally rare dormice are found in the North and South Woods and Queenswood takes part in a national monitoring scheme to help protect these endangered creatures. Other interesting mammals include, polecat and yellow-necked mice, whilst fallow and muntjac deer inhabit the woodlands.

Woodland birds include great spotted, lesser spotted and green woodpeckers, willow, garden and wood warblers, chiffchaffs and blackcaps. Butterflies found at Queenswood include the silver-washed fritillary and purple hairstreak which both thrive in the oak woodlands. Other insects include deadwood loving beetles such as the nationally scarce oak splendour beetle.

Further information about Queenswood can be found on our dedicated website for Queenswood Country Park and Bodenham Lake: www.queenswoodandbodenhamlake.org