With such a regal name, it should come as no surprise
that King's Wood was historically a royal hunting forest. The quarry
pursued by the great and the good here were deer, and a large herd of
fallow deer still run free in the wood. These days, King's
Wood is largely owned and managed by the Forestry Commission. In addition
to large stands of fast-growing conifers, there is extensive sweet
chestnut coppice. Although timber production is important, management of
the woodland is increasingly geared towards conservation as well. The bird
life is rich, and this is also a good place to see fungi.
This large, attractive woodland is also an important
recreation facility for the public. Visitors can walk right through the
site, enjoying views across wooded valleys and the feeling of being in the
middle of a really big forest. Walks are made easier by a waymarked
trail starting at the car park. As well as enjoying the landscape and
wildlife of the woodland along this route, visitors can see sculptures
created by a variety of artists as part of the Stour Valley Arts Project.
This is the Project's main site, with nine artists' work to see (at the
time of writing) . They range from Andy Frost's play sculptures and picnic
furniture, a guaranteed hit with children, to the ingenious 'Coppice Cloud
Chamber' by Chris Dury. The latest feature of the wood is an avenue of 180
yew trees, planted in the year 2000 to be in alignment with the sunset on
the summer solstice.
To join Friends of King's Wood: kings_wood@btinternet.com
Friend's of King's Wood leaflet about the forest
For information on the sculpture trail and
educational visits: Stour Valley Arts 01227 458759.
Stour Valley Arts leaflet
For leaflets and general information: Forest
Enterprise 01580 211044 or contact KSCP.
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