Hardwick Wood

Hardwick Wood

Hardwick Wood - Robert Enderby

Hardwick Wood

This reserve is now open. Updated 4 July 2024.

A quiet and tranquil medieval woodland full of woodland birds with secret paths and hidden glades.

Location

5 miles west of
Cambridge
Cambridgeshire

OS Map Reference

TL 356 580
A static map of Hardwick Wood

Know before you go

Size
15 hectares
image/svg+xmlz

Entry fee

No
image/svg+xmlP

Parking information

Park in Highfields Caldecote and walk up the bridleway which is signposted at TL350582, just south of the mini round about for Strympole Way. When you get to the wood turn left to find the entrance.
image/svg+xml

Grazing animals

No
image/svg+xml

Access

Not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs

Dogs

image/svg+xmlOn a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

spring and autumn

About the reserve

Hardwick Wood has the sinuous outline of medieval woods and is surrounded by a substantial wood bank, well preserved on the south and east sides. After ceasing in the early 20th century, coppicing was reinstated in 1979. This traditional practice lets in more light to the benefit of flowers and insects. As the coppice grows it provides safe nesting sites for woodland songbirds such as willow warbler, marsh tit and blackcap. The large amount of dead wood is a boon for the woodpeckers that can be heard drumming in spring.

The Mere Way runs along the western boundary, the banks of the adjoining ditch providing a haven for cowslips and the rare crested cow-wheat, usually found on the margins of ancient woodlands and in clearings and rides. As twilight descends, the hoots of owls can be heard and bats patrol the woodland edges in their search for food.

Additional information

  • This site is part of the West Cambridgeshire Hundreds Living Landscape Scheme.
  • There is a work party at this reserve. See the Cambridgeshire work party page for more information. 
  • Scroll down to see the reserve boundary. Please note the boundary map is for indication purposes only and does not show the Wildlife Trusts definitive land boundary. 

FOR ANY MEDIA ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM:   communicationsteam@wildlifebcn.org or 01954 713500 and ask for comms team.

Contact us

Contact number: 01954 713500

Location map

Bluebell woodland

Bluebell woodland - Katrina Martin / 2020VISION

Thank you for your support!

Donations are our single biggest source of income, help us stop nature's decline in your area
£
Betony at Upwood Meadows June  - c. Robert Enderby

Betony at Upwood Meadows June  - c. Robert Enderby

Support our work

Did you enjoy your visit? From donating to volunteering, there are many different ways you can help us restore and protect local wildlife. We can't do this without you!

How you can help

Become a member

Help fight the rapid decline in wildlife across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire and enjoy some fabulous benefits. From only £3.50/month

Join us today