Gamston Wood Nature Reserve
Introduction
Gamston Wood is a mixed ancient woodland covering almost 41 hectares which was purchased from the Forestry Commission in 1984. Approximately three-quarters of the nature reserve is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
About the reserve
This is an ancient parish wood mentioned in the Domesday Book. It is predominantly made up of ash, oak and birch, with a shrub layer of hazel, hawthorn, privet, goat willow and field maple. Bramble and honeysuckle are common throughout, but bracken is restricted to the north-east corner. The ground flora is rich and includes wood anemone, primrose, yellow archangel, sweet woodruff, sanicle and wood avens.
Rides support species characteristic of heavy clay soils, such as meadowsweet, yellow pimpernel, creeping jenny, corn mint, bugle and water avens. The wood has a diverse invertebrate fauna including the impressive white admiral butterfly, which is at the northern edge of its range. A variety of breeding birds are also present.
Conservation management
Part of the site was clear-felled in 1963/4 and replanted with softwoods, some of which failed to establish. The Trust has recently re-introduced a form of traditional woodland management known as coppicing. This form of management, which involves the felling of different sections of the wood over a period of 7 to 20 years, results in the development of the widest possible range of wildlife habitats.
Some areas of the wood are used for the commercial production of charcoal. This will be continued and expanded alongside routine maintenance of rides and boundaries. Many planted conifers have already been removed, and the remainder will soon follow.
How to get there
The reserve is open to the public but visitors are requested to keep to the rides. The reserve is about midway on the minor road from Eaton to Upton at SK 729772. Cars may be parked in the entrance to the reserve or on the main road with care. Please keep off the roadside verges, which are themselves part of the SSSI, as they are unusually species rich.
Further Information
If you would like further details about the reserve, or if you are interested in getting involved in the management of the site, please call the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust Office on 0115 958
