Search

Trees woods and wildlife

Dog’s mercury

A poisonous coloniser of ancient woodland, dog’s mercury is quick to sweep over the wood floor, sometimes outcompeting more delicate ancient woodland species.

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

Commercial dog walking in our woods

Find out how to apply for a licence for commercial dog walking in some of our woodlands. 

Blog

Winter picnics: hot food ideas and recipes

Keep warm on a winter picnic with our recipes and food ideas, including mulled apple juice, hot dogs, chilli pitta pockets and jacket potatoes.

Danielle Wesley  •  05 Jan 2023

Event

Mushroom growing workshop at Mourne Park

Learn how to grow native edible mushrooms on logs, which you can take home and enjoy once fully grown.

Sat 21 Nov 2026  •  Mourne Park, Kilkeel

Blog

Where to see wild daffodils in the UK

Did you know that the UK is home to a native, wild species of daffodil? Find out where, when and how to see them in our woods.

Rory Morrow  •  20 Feb 2026

Trees woods and wildlife

Ash

One of our most beloved trees. Ash is one of the most common trees in the UK, but as ash dieback sweeps through, is it set to be erased from our countryside?

Blog

Early spring flowers quiz: 12 flowering plants and shrubs

Want to identify blooms spotted on a refreshing woodland walk or bring some early colour to your garden? Take our quiz to discover some of the most common early flowerers.

Charlie Mellor  •  16 Feb 2026

Blog

Foxglove and other poisonous plants: a list of toxic plants in the UK

A quick guide to five of the most poisonous plants you may encounter on a countryside walk in the UK. Learn how to recognise them and get fascinating facts on their toxicity.

Helen Keating  •  01 Jul 2020

Blog

What do foxes eat? And more facts about foxes

Whether we live in the countryside or a bustling city, most of us have seen a fox. But how much do you know about one of our most iconic animals?

Charlotte Varela  •  16 Aug 2019

Event

Month of remembrance at Langley Vale Wood 2–30 Nov

Take a moment to reflect and remember amongst the peaceful surroundings of nature.

Mon 02 Nov 2026  •  Langley Vale Wood, Langley Vale

Visiting woods

Love your woods

Our woods are home to amazing plants and animals and they're all free for people to enjoy responsibly. Show them you care with our top tips for your visit.

Video

Andy Black - volunteer warden

Find out more about Andy's volunteering and why he was nominated for an award.

00:02:59

Press centre

Visit the Woodland Trust's bluebell woods in full bloom

The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland wants to welcome visitors to sites throughout the region to enjoy the spectacular springtime sight of a bluebell-carpeted woodland.

Trees woods and wildlife

Dogwood

Understated until the colder months when it bursts into colour, dogwood is a broadleaf shrub which thrives in damp woodland edges. Legend has it that the timber is so hard, it was used for crucifixes.

Event

Londonthorpe village guided walk

Join the National Trust on a circular walk to the historic village of Londonthorpe, which overlooks the beautiful Belton Estate.

Thu 26 Nov 2026  •  Londonthorpe Woods, Grantham

Event

Londonthorpe Woods 20km guided hike

Join us on a guided 20km walk through the stunning Lincolnshire countryside surrounding Londonthorpe Woods and the Belton Estate.

Sat 28 Nov 2026  •  Londonthorpe Woods, Grantham

Event

Winter wreath workshop

Create your very own winter wreath to bring that festive feeling to your home, using natural materials hand picked at the Clandeboye Estate.

Sun 29 Nov 2026  •  Clandeboye Estate, County Down

Event

Needle felting workshop

Try your hand at needle felting in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere at the Faughan Valley Woodlands.

Sun 22 Nov 2026  •  Claudy, Faughan Valley

About us

Fox hunting in Woodland Trust woods

Read the Woodland Trust's position on fox hunting in our woods.

Video

Meet the people behind our work: Friends of Belvoir Wood

Hard graft. Passionate people. Expertise and skill. There's more to our woods than just trees. See for yourself what makes Friends of Belvoir Wood so special, and what it takes to keep it that way.

00:02:08

Blog

How to attract frogs to your garden

They’re fascinating, they control pests and they’re under threat – but how do you attract frogs to your garden? Read our top tips.

Charlotte Varela  •  19 Mar 2024

Blog

Animal tracking: prints and poo identification for kids

Many animals can be hard to spot in the wild, but they leave plenty of clues behind. Learn how to identify animal tracks, poo and other signs.

Danielle Wesley  •  17 Feb 2020

Blog

Are bluebells poisonous? And more bluebell facts

Find out all about bluebells, including if they’re poisonous, when to see them and lots of other bluebell facts. 

Hannah Vickers  •  06 Apr 2020

Blog

Can you eat conkers? Safety advice and chestnut differences

Learn more about conkers with our fascinating facts. What are they? Can you eat them? And what’s the difference between conkers and sweet chestnuts?

Danielle Wesley  •  25 Sept 2026

Video

How gifts in wills have made a difference: Avoncliff Wood

A third of all the work we do is made possible by gifts in wills. Find out more about the difference they've made to Avoncliff Wood, a beautiful wood in the Cotswolds that's also helping to combat the use of plastic on our estate. 

00:03:00

Blog

Animal tracks: snow print identification

A fresh coat of snow reveals the footprints of the secretive animals that call our woodland home. Learn how to identify some of the tracks you're likely to see in your local wood.

Charlie Mellor  •  17 Jan 2022

Blog

10 ways to help wildlife in spring

We can all make a difference for wildlife this season, from a single simple action to an ongoing commitment, at home or further afield. Read our ten top tips.

Charlie Mellor  •  07 Apr 2026

Blog

Is ivy poisonous?

Discover whether ivy is poisonous and learn more about where it grows, how to take care of it in your garden and why it’s a great plant for wildlife.

Kate Lewthwaite  •  17 Aug 2021

Blog

Ticks: what do they look like and how to remove them

Learn how to identify ticks and the steps you can take to avoid them when walking in woodland.

Rachel Hoskins  •  15 May 2019

Blog

10 ways to help wildlife in summer

We can all make a difference for wildlife this season, from a single simple action to an ongoing commitment, at home or further afield. Read our ten top tips.

Charlie Mellor  •  12 Jun 2023

Trees woods and wildlife

Weasel

Relentless and always hungry. What they lack in size, weasels make up for in appetite, eating a third of their own body weight daily. From birds to bank voles, the small creatures of the forest floor must be ever wary of this energetic hunter.

Trees woods and wildlife

Robin

Feisty. Iconic. A Christmas card favourite and a gardener’s best friend. It’s no wonder this fiery little fella is one of Britain’s most-loved birds, frequenting the UK’s gardens in search of worms.

Blog

Are acorns edible? And other acorn facts

Acorns are a favourite dish of many woodland creatures, but did you know humans can eat them too? Here are some great recipes and more fascinating acorn facts.

Emilie Bonnevay  •  03 Sept 2019

Blog

Everything you need to know about giant hogweed

How common is giant hogweed in the UK and is it really that dangerous? We've distilled the facts to give you the low-down on giant hogweed.

Rory Morrow  •  08 Dec 2025

Blog

Rowan jelly: how to find and make it

Rowan, with its fiery red berries, is a tree that's difficult to miss at the moment. If you want to try foraging this is a great way to start. Get top identification tips and a step-by-step recipe on how to make rowan jelly.

Helen Keating  •  13 Aug 2018

Blog

How and when to plant fruit trees

Find out how to choose the best fruit tree for you and your garden, when and where to plant them and the benefits they bring for wildlife.

Helen Keating  •  05 Nov 2020

Blog

What is lichen? Seven types of lichen found on trees

Lichen can be very visible on branches and bark at this time of year. They can be really difficult to identify, but here are seven common lichens that grow on trees.

Kylie Harrison Mellor  •  24 Apr 2019