Town Wood

Town Wood is an important biological resource in the heart of Congleton on the northern edge of Congleton Park. The wood is designated as an Ancient and Semi Natural Woodland as well as a county Site of Biological Importance.

Ancient Semi-Natural woodland is described as being composed largely of trees, shrubs and ground flora that have grown through the process of natural regeneration, stump growth and coppice. In order for a woodland to be defined as ancient there must be evidence of continual woodland since 1600 AD. Semi-natural woodland is defined by the current tree and shrub crop within the site and these woodlands tend to be the most important for nature conservation, (English Nature 2001). The continuity of woodland cover is shown through the underwood and ground flora rather than the tree canopy and stand as the tree stand may change speices but the ground flora will remain largely the same.

Situated on several natural springs the wood contains three distinct habitats, these being the wet flushes, oak/sycamore dominated canopy and the beech dominated canopy.

The wood is well known for is colourful carpets of spring flowers.

Some of the birds you may see as you walk through the wood include the Wren, Song Thrush, Blackcap, Nuthatch, Tree Creeper, Greater Spotted Woodpecker and Chiff Chaff along with other more common woodland species.

All the paths through the woodland are of a formal bound gravel nature ensuring that the wood is accessable throughout the year. However some of these paths are steep and contain steps.