Wytham Woods

Wytham Great Wood

Wytham Woods extend over an area in the very north of Berkshire, to the west of Wytham. The woods are just five miles west of Oxford and serve as a research facility for Oxford University, whose holding is the majority of the woodland here, over 964 acres.

The woods consist of Wytham Great Wood in the north, running up to the bank of the River Thames, Wytham Hill south of the Great Wood, Radbrook Common and Marley Wood in the east part, almost to the Seacourt Stream. Amongst these are numerous named copses and features. The area contains open meadow too, such a The Follies beside Marley Wood. Oaken Holt in the south is outside the University's ownership.

The woods are opened to a limited expense: one must apply for a walking permit. The woods have twenty miles of rides to explore.

Character

The Thames by Wytham Great Wood

The Wytham Woods are an area of ancient semi-natural woodland. They are mixed woodland rich in wildlife and with a variety of habitats, allowing for the study of nature.

The habitats found in the woods include ancient semi-natural woodland, with secondary woodland and planted areas also. The meadows contain chalky grasslands, a valley side mire, an arable weed plot and there are a variety of ponds. Over 500 species of vascular plants and 800 species of butterflies and moths have been recorded.

The woods are noted for their high population of badgers and long-term monitoring of great tits. The woods are a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Environmental research

The University of Oxford owns the woods and they serve for research in zoology and climate change. The University also has a field station north of the village.

The woods were bequeathed to the University in 1942 by the ffennel family, after the death of their only daughter, Hazel. The University agreed to maintain the natural beauty of the Woods, to allow their continued use for education and research, and that the woods be enjoyed by the inhabitants of Oxford.

Wytham Woods are one of the most researched areas of woodland in the world. Wytham has a wealth of long term biological data, with bird data dating back for over sixty years, badger data for over thirty years and climate change data for the last eighteen years. The majority of the research activity is conducted by Oxford University bodies, though others conduct research by arrangement.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Wytham Woods)

• Wytham Woods – University of Oxford
• Maps:
  • Wikishire mapping: 51°46’33"N, 1°20’7"W
  • Streetmap: SP459087