Wildlife at Hazelborough Wood
Whittlewood Forest
Northamptonshire
England
Silverstone is the nearest town or village.
OS Grid Reference: SP 658430
Hazelborough Wood is an ancient woodland site with both majestic oak and younger conifer plantations. The wood is gradually being restored to native broadleaf woodland under the 'Ancient Woodland Project'.
The car park is located off the A43 Silverstone Bypass.
Mammals: If you are quiet as you walk through the wood, especially at dawn or dusk, you may see the shy roe and fallow deer, or the small muntjac. Many, many badgers live here, as does the delightful dormouse. The harvest mouse, which uses it's tail to climb like a monkey, makes nests in the longer grass. Pipistrelle, noctule and long-eared bats hunt above the trees at night. We have information about Roe deer, Fallow deer and Badger
Birds: Tawny, little and barn owls often hunt along the rides, sometimes during the daytime. Woodpeckers build nests in dead tree trunks, and there are plenty of warblers here in the summer, including whitethroat and blackcap, and garden warbler. Coal, willow and long-tailed tits are frequent users of the wood.
Insects and reptiles: A few rare wood white butterflies have been spotted in the part of the wood which is north of the A43 (which bisects the wood). Apart from this, you'll find masses of common butterflies such as peacock, red admiral and ringlet, according to season. There are grass snakes here, and smooth, palmate and great-crested newts.
Habitats: Hazelborough is an ancient semi-natural woodland, mainly ash/field maple, with some mature oak plantations, plus stands of mature beech.
How to get there:
Hazelborough Wood is located at the west end of Silverstone village. The car park can be accessed from the village, or direct from the Towcester-bound carriageway of the A43.
Local Weather Forecast (Multimap)
Other places to go in Whittlewood ForestBucknells Wood
Contact:
Northants Office
01780 444920
e-mail: northants@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
What's of interest
Hazelborough Woods surround the Silverstone race track, which was a former runway for World War II aeroplanes. A welcome contrast to speed and motor car fumes can be found in these serene woodlands.
What to see now
You may catch a glimpse of muntjac deer along the forest rides.
Did you know
The old buildings are the remains of an RAF camp, including a mess hut and hospital.
What else is here
Useful sites
Find out more