Friends of Fineshade
Images of Fineshade Wood
Golden October
This is always the month when, arguably, Fineshade is at its most photogenic. But each October is different and some are definitely more colourful than others.
Vibrant colours in October
Some people said 2015 was the most colourful autumn that they could remember. This set of images were all taken around Fineshade Wood during that month.
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Last rays of October at Top Lodge
October: Glow worm path
Oaks in Westhay Wood
The single-track road leading down from Top Lodge
Looking towards Top Lodge from the Kings Cliffe bridleway. The red trees are Whitebeam
Looking towards Mill Wood from the Jurassic Way. The red tree is a Rowan and there is a Horse Chestnut on the left
Inside Mill Wood. The high seat is used by Forestry Commission Rangers when culling deer
A birch plantation on the east side of Fineshade (Buxton Wood)
The Dales Wood Trail
The Tree House in Far Markham Wood
The steep hill on the Dales Wood Trail. There is a beech plantation on the left
Beeches and Oaks in Dales Wood
Cyclists and picnickers along the Dales Wood Trail
A veteran beech tree on the eastern edge of Fineshade Wood. Some people call it the Cathedral Tree
Glow worm path
From the Adder Track
Hybrid Poplars along the bridleway to King's Cliffe
2014 - less vibrant but poignant images
Every one of this second set of pictures was taken in October 2014 from within the red-line boundary of the area that the Forestry Commission and Forest Holidays were proposing to develop as a holiday village. If they had had their way this area of woodland would have been changed for ever but that threat has now gone You can read the full story here.
This is the proposed site for Forest Holiday' staff caravans
This is the site ear-marked for Forest Holiday's "Retreat" with a car park, children's playground etc.
This is the edge of Peter's Nook
The orange coloured trees are Wild Service - ancient woodland indicators. This is looking towards Dumb Bob Spinney, the central hub of the development. A luxury cabin was to be positioned in the foreground.
This area on the edge of the Ancient Woodland was the proposed site for Forest Holiday's maintenance area and staff accommodation
This area is known as Smith's Spinney and is choked with tall grasses covering lots of brash. Excellent reptile habitat. Many cabins were to be built through here.
It is many years since this area has been coppiced. Excellent dormouse habitat
This ride is regularly cut and leads down to the marked trails that run around the northern edge of the proposed development area.
A mature oak tree that was marked for felling - it was in the way of a new vehicle track
This major oak stands beside the marked trail to the north of Smith's Spinney.
This mature Ash looks particularly attractive - it would have survived to adorn the new development.
Another Wild Service Tree with the oak plantation in the background