Top Wood
Grangewood Linton
Woodland Trust wood group
- Toptree Wood
- Long Close Wood
Size:
70.89 ha (175.17 acres)
Grid reference:
SK268155
Map reference:
Explorer 245
OS Landranger 128
This flourishing young woodland was planted as part of our Woods on your Doorstep initiative to mark the new millennium. Two decades on its mosaic of woods grassland and ponds is a haven for wildlife and its open areas offer stunning views across the Trent Valley and surrounding countryside.
Features
- Parking nearby
- Public access
- Grassland
How to get to Top Wood
Top Wood lies immediately south of the village of Linton, 5km (3 miles) from Swadlincote.
From junction 11 on the M42, take the A444 towards Burton upon Trent. After the village of Overseal, follow the signs for Linton. The entrance to the wood is down Lullington Road. Bear right and follow the road where the entrance is on the right. If you reach Coal Pit Lane you have gone too far.
The nearest station is Burton upon Trent.
Visit National Rail for more information.
There are bus stops at Linton Main Street.
Visit Traveline for more information.
Facilities and access
The main access points to the north are off The Crescent and Botany Bay Road at Linton. To the south, access is from Grange Wood, and to the west from the access road to Park Farm at Botany Bay.
The site has 9km (5.6 miles) of easily negotiable mown paths. However, some sections can be muddy and waterlogged in winter.
There is parking on Linton’s streets but there is no space on the road at the Botany Bay entrance. Visitors are permitted to park in Grange Wood car park and walk through to Toptree Wood.
The nearest public toilets (with disabled, but not baby changing facilities) are at Woodville Road, Overseal, around 3km (2 miles) from the wood.
Wildlife and habitats
Animals
Thanks to a mix of woodland and grassland, Top Wood provides a home for a wide range of wildlife. Woodland birds and mammals, including fox and badger, make their homes here, along with numerous butterflies and other invertebrates.
Look out for:
Trees, plants and fungi
The new woodland at Top Wood acts as an important buffer for the surrounding ancient woodland. The planted trees are helping to facilitate the gradual movement of ancient woodland species.
Look out for:
Habitats
Top Wood may be young, but it forms an important buffer to the ancient woodland of nearby Grange Wood, and in time the ancient woodland species will begin to migrate there.
Around a fifth of the site has been left as open space to maintain views across to the Trent Valley in the north and open countryside to the south, particularly from the high point just south of Park Farm.
Explore:
About Top Wood
History
Top Wood has a long agricultural history. Look carefully, and you may spot signs of the undulating ground that’s a remnant of the ridge and furrow ploughing methods practised in medieval times. And an embankment from an old mineral railway harks back to the area’s coal mining past.
We purchased Top Wood in 1996. A total of more than 100,000 trees were planted, many by local schoolchildren and volunteers. Planting took place in three annual phases from 1997 as part of the National Forest Tender Scheme. The scheme was funded by the Department of the Environment and administered by the National Forest Company in partnership with the Forestry Commission.
Things to do in Top Wood
Walking
Paths link with the surrounding network and other publicly accessible woodlands. Part of the National Forest Way, a 120km (75-mile) long-distance trail runs along the edges of Top Wood and Toptree Wood.
Horse riding
Grange Wood Farm and a limited area of Top Wood are also open to horse riders. Permits can be obtained from Grange Wood Farm.
Visiting woods
Walking dogs in our woods
Dogs are welcome for walkies in our woods. Take a look at our tips and guidelines for ensuring we keep our woods safe and special for dogs and wildlife.
Visiting woods
Events
Discover events at our woods and the festivals and fairs you can find us at soon.
Visiting woods
Things to do in the woods
Go on an adventure. Get closer to nature. Uncover history. Discover ways to explore the UK's woods whatever the season.
