View from the bridge
Hidden beneath an autumn canopy of oak and beech trees is a fascinating mosaic of fungi, invertebrates and hillforts, best discovered on foot or by bike, suggests Dave Hamilton
Leigh Woods, Bristol
During the autumn months, the towering copper beech trees lining the drive to Leigh Woods, just across the River Avon from Bristol, wend their way through a magnificent kaleidoscope of purples, reds, yellows, oranges and browns.
This wooded avenue, just off Abbots Leigh Road, leads to the forest’s main car park. If you’re lucky, you may see an eccentric local who regularly exercises his parrot here.
The woods were once part of Ashton Court and signs of the pomp and splendour of this grand estate still remain in gnarled, ancient and veteran oaks, limes and yews. These trees also provide a home for fungi, with more than 300 species growing in the woods, including edibles, such as beefsteak and oyster mushrooms. The nooks, crannies, hollows and deadwood created by fungi on these venerable old trees provide valuable niches for wildlife, including birds, bats and invertebrates.
FOREST FORT
Walkers will find various marked trails, perhaps the most satisfying of which is the 2.5km purple trail that takes you to the edge of an Iron Age promontory hillfort known as Stokeleigh Camp. Its high banks are unmistakable.
Take an off-piste excursion over the ramparts into the hillfort’s partially wooded centre, which has the feel of a meadow or even a secret garden. Venture a little further to the eastern edge of the fort and you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views across Avon Gorge.
Mountain bikers of all abilities can also find trails in the woods, from adrenalinefuelled runs to slower training routes for those looking to practise their off-road skills. The blue trails trace the western edge of the woods, from the south to the north, before linking with the River Avon trail that continues on to the village of Pill to the west, or Bath to the east.