Shillbrook Wood

The majority of Shillbrook Wood was planted in November 2000 with a 0.6ha extension added to the south in February 2002. The local community were involved in the planting and the creation of the wood was part of the Trust's Woods on Your Doorstep initiative (WOYD). Shillbrook is a low lying wet site and historically was a water meadow before being drained in the 19th century and used to grow crops. The site is named after the stream, the Shillbrook, which runs through Bampton. The main species planted are oak and ash but also includes a component of more uncommon species such as walnut, native black poplar and disease-resistant elm. There is network of wide grassy rides within the young woodland, which preserve views of Bampton and Aston church. Woody shrubs, such as guelder rose and hazel, have also been planted along the ride edges and woodland margins. There are also 2 small blocks of pure hazel and osier coppice of 0.2ha. Mature hedgerows run along most of the boundaries and there is a pond in the southwest corner, where 2 ditches meet. Public access is along one of the public footpaths leading south from the village of Bampton. One of these paths runs through the parish council-owned playing fields (where there is a car park). There is good network of permissive paths through the site along the grassy rides. The Trust owns a management access running east from the main woodland to the Buckland Road; this track is not available for public access.