7 WOODLANDS TO VISIT

Hollingside Wood, Durham A fine bluebell wood with oaks and mature beech trees on a hillside just a mile from the city centre, with great spotted woodpeckers, whitethroats and blackcaps. dur.ac.uk/greenspace/biodiversity/ durhamwildlife/woodland/

Grass Wood, Grassington, Wharfedale, North Yorkshire This Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Reserve is one of the largest woodlands in the dales. Noted for pied flycatchers (left), primroses and the gloriously fragrant lily-of-the-valley. ywt.org.uk/naturereserves/grass-wood-nature-reserve

Hayley Wood, Little Gransden, Cambridgeshire Ancient woodland with a fine range of spring flowers, including early purple orchids and herb Paris, but particularly famous for its wonderful display of nationally rare oxlips. wildlifebcn.org/nature-reserves/hayley-wood

Allen Banks and Staward Gorge, near Bardon Mill, Hexham, Northumberland The largest ancient woodland in Northumberland, in the gorge of the River Allen, where there are otters. Carpets of bluebells and ramsons, and also home to dormice (left). nationaltrust.org.uk/ allen-banks-and-staward-gorge

Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve, Bewdley, Worcestershire Large area of ancient coppiced woodland including forest, open valleys and old orchards. Breeding summer migrants include redstarts and wood warblers. Follow waymarked footpaths, bridleways and family cycleways. visitwyreforest.co.uk/things-to-do/wyreforest.aspx

Norsey Wood, Basildon, Billericay, Essex A woodland SSSI covering 175 acres, with sweet chestnut, hornbeam and coppiced hazel. Look for stitchwort, violets, lily-of-the-valley and brimstone butterflies (left); listen to the song of blackcaps, willow warblers and chiffchaffs. basildon.gov.uk/article/2436/NorseyWood-Nature-Trail

Ryton Woods, Ryton on Dunsmore, Coventry, Warwickshire Eighty-five hectares of seminatural ancient woodland, including small-leaved lime. Broad, grassy rides and spring ground flora that includes primrose, wood anemone (right), bluebell and yellow pimpernel. warwickshire wildlifetrust.org.uk/reserves/ryton-wood