Higher Knowle Wood

This prominent ancient semi natural woodland is conspicuous from much of the local area. Set on a small hill the wood slopes west downhill from a plateau. The wood is of a mature high forest structure with occasional areas of coppice understorey or regenerating scrub. Various sources indicate that it is possibly derived from a small wood-pasture or wooded common however no ancient trees remain. Subsequent 18th century plantings include a small field system on the south edge of the wood. Sitting above the Wray Valley in an area of dense ancient woodland cover and well connected to other woods by hedges and deep leafy lanes, the canopy of mixed broadleaves is now characteristic of the area and overlies a mixed shrub layer and reasonable ground flora. An area of Larch was removed from the South East corner of the site (1999), and restocked with native broadleaves. Old hedge standards, and large coppice stools exist on the boundaries with major mature standards throughout the property adding interest to the internal landscape. Many of these trees have veteran features. Low intensity land use of forage pasture and other woodland immediately surround the wood. Higher Knowle House lies to the Southwest and the access road to the house runs through a mature section of the wood. The house itself is also bounded by a woodland garden, which is now regularly open as part of the National Gardens Scheme.