www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Oakfrith Wood Local Nature Reserve
Oakfrith Wood Local Nature Reserve (LNR) forms part of the Urchfont Manor Estate, the former home of the Pollock family. The woodland which extends to 14.1 hectares, was purchased by the County Council along with the rest of the estate in 1945 to establish a residential adult education college.
The wood, which is shown on the 1784 tithe map and was then called Oakfrith Coppice, is one of the larger blocks of woodland remaining in the Pewsey Vale, an area denuded of trees by Dutch Elm Disease in the early 1970s.
Oakfrith, as its old name suggests, is of ancient woodland origin and although most of the wood has been replanted over the years a small area of the ancient woodland remains, with ancient woodland ground flora remaining in many parts of the woodland. Following a major felling in 1917 for the war effort the wood appears to have been neglected until 1928, when Rivers and Eveline Pollock took it in hand. Most of the woodland was than replanted during the early 1930s (85% broadleaf/conifer mix and 15% pure conifer). Much of the conifer planting has been removed through thinning over the years and the final area of pure conifer was felled in 1996. An additional area of trees, adjoining the wood, was planted in 2000 to celebrate the millennium.
The wood is managed by ‘The Friends of Oakfrith Wood’, a group representing the County Council, Urchfont Manor College and the local community. The aim of the group is to promote the long term, multi purpose, sensitive management of Oakfrith and to restore its ancient woodland character, whilst encouraging sound woodland management. The wood was designated a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in May 2004.
Location:Oakfrith Wood LNR is located at the western edge of the village of Urchfont and can be accessed via the Byway (leading from the B3098) or from the village and the grounds of Urchfont Manor via a permissive path across farmland.
Grid reference: SU 027 570
Parking:Limited parking is available at the wood; visitors may park at Urchfont Manor with permission. Cars are left at owner’s risk.
Dogs:Please clean up after your dog and keep it on a lead during your visit.
Access for groups:Groups wishing to visit the wood should first contact the Director, Urchfont Manor College, Tel: 01380 840 495.
Toilets:No public toilet facilities are available locally.
For further information about the work of the Friends of Oakfrith Wood please contact Steve Russell below:
Contact Details
By Post
Senior Countryside Ranger
Countyside Service
Environmental Services
Wiltshire County Council
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JD
By Email
By Telephone
01225 713489
By Fax
01225 713269
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
