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"Enchanting walks take you down sheltered rides, where brimstone butterflies feed on sunny spring days and woodcock display at dusk."

This ancient woodland is noted for its small-leaved lime coppice, this is an indication that the northern part of the wood has existed since prehistoric times. The other species to note in Groton Woods is its large wild cherry trees.  Groton Wood along with Arger Fen remain the only known ancient woodlands in the east of England with wild cherry.  The southern section of the wood is much younger and dates back to 17th century, as you walk through the wood see if you can see the ancient ditch boundary dividing wood east to west.  The 17th centuary part of the wood mainly consists of hazel, ash and wild cherry with a larger number of oak trees thought to have been planted in the 1900's. 

Groton Wood is unusual in that is has 22 (mostly seasonal) ponds.  These are good places to spot frog, toad and newt including the protected great-crested newt.  Suffolk Wildlfie Trust has been working hard to restore these ponds to their former glory.  Work to clear around the ponds to let in more sun light and de-silting haa benefitted the ponds and they have been quick to spring back into life.

The rides are bursting with wild flowers in the spring and summer.  Some of the highlights include bluebell, pignut and early-purple orchid with shadier areas being characterised by violet helleborine, woodruff and herb-paris. 15 species of butterfly have been recorded at Groton Wood including brimstone, speckled wood and purple hairstreak whose caterpillars feed on oak.

Summer songsters include black cap, willow warbler and chif chaf, while other birds such as treecreeper, all three woodpecker species, woodcock and nuthatch are resident here.

Like many of Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s woodland reserves much of the reserve is managed through coppicing.  Coppicing is a traditional method of woodland management where stems are cut at ground level promoting vigorous re-growth. This provides the sustainable supply of straight poles used for many purposes including thatching, hurdle making, basket weaving and firewood. The process of coppicing not only prolongs the life of a tree, it also produces a wealth of sustainable materials. As the coppice stools regenerate they provide an excellent think shrubby understory which benefits a whole host of woodland birds.

Bluebells

Small-leaved lime coppice

Special dates for your diaries

Creating a Living Landscape for Suffolk

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