Brampton Wood

Brampton Wood is the second largest ancient woodland in Cambridgeshire and is over 900 years old. It is home to a remarkable variety, of plants and animals. Over 300 plant species have been recorded here and the wood is well known also for its butterflies and birds. There has been an oak and ash wood here since 1086 AD and the national importance of the site was recognized in 1954 when it was declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The Wildlife Trust has managed the site as a nature reserve since 1991.

The reserve is home to many notable wildflowers, fungi and mammals and the mixture of high quality grassland and woodland here is especially important for butterflies and other invertebrate animals. Dormice were introduced into the woods in 1992 and although rarely seen, have been recorded throughout the reserve.

Several nationally scarce butterflies can be seen on sunny summer days, including black hairstreaks, which take winter refuge in the blackthorn bushes and white admirals which feed on the mature honeysuckle at the top of the elms that grow along the rides.

Rare species may be hard to spot, but the wood is also home to a huge variety of interesting and easy to see plants and animals.

Created: 27  November  2016  Edited: 29  November  2023