Cuttle Brook Wood

Cuttle Brook Wood 2012

Cuttle Brook Wood was planted in February 2000 as part of the Woodland Trusts 'Woods On Your Doorstep' project, which created 200 new community woods nationally to mark the Millennium.  The project was supported by the Millennium Commission with funds from the National Lottery and this wood was one of 20 sites also sponsored by Homebase Ltd, as part of the 'Homebase Woodlands for the Millennium' scheme.

The site is 16.98 acres {6.87 hectares} in area and lies mid-way between Knowle and Balsall Common on the B4101 Kenilworth Road.  The new wood is opposite Springfield House, presently a school and Environmental Study Centre for children with special needs. It adjoins Temple Balsall Nature Reserve on its eastern boundary.  

The site was previously an arable field and was seeded with grass prior to tree planting.  The rides provide a variety of circular walks for visitors and views out over adjoining fields and back towards the facade of Springfield House.

 The woods Millennium feature, a circular brick seat built from bricks salvaged from the byre that once stood in the field corner, is set at the intersection of the main rides, affording views in all directions, with the theme of looking backwards to the past and forwards to the future.

The main tree species are Ash with Oak, Silver Birch, Field Maple and Rowan, giving way to Alder and Crack Willow on slightly lower and wetter ground adjoining Temple Balsall Nature Reserve. Scot's Pine and Corsican Pine are present in the group plantings opposite Springfield House to strengthen the visual link with this dominant feature of the local landscape.