A woodland in Oxfordshire has been named among the most enchanting in Britain by The Telegraph.
The newspaper said: “The fragrance of flowers and the murmur of birdsong, sunshine filtering down through the canopy… few things can beat an afternoon spent wandering through a British wood, especially at this time of year, when the bluebells are flourishing.”
The list was created by 10 of the newspaper’s writers who chose “their favourite swathe of domestic woodland – from the soft treescapes of Devon and Somerset to the branches which bristle at Loch Lomond.”
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Wychwood Forest among Britain’s most enchanting woodlands
Wychwood Forest was recommended by writer Harriet O’Brien, who said visitors can expect to see plenty of trees, including “gnarled old oak trees” that “stand tall” and “whippy young birches”.
She said: “Gnarled old oak trees stand tall, as if venerable guardians of the ancient woodland.
“Beside them whippy young birches sway with any breeze going, while ash and low-growing hazels add to the sylvan textures.
“With just one public footpath running through its 1,300 acres, Wychwood Forest is a palpably serene haven.
“It’s a haunt of badgers, foxes, deer (fallow, muntjac, roe), on a damp day I’ve even seen a hare sheltering here.”
She said she visits Wychwood Forest “in all seasons”, each offering something a bit different: “I come in all seasons: spring for carpets of bluebells; summer for the rich tangles of green and a wealth of birdsong; autumn for vivid colours; winter for frosty tree silhouettes and trailing lichens.”
A guide to safe and responsible hiking
Harriet went on to say: “For centuries, Wychwood Forest was a royal hunting ground that extended over much of what is now West Oxfordshire (King John is said to have had five different lodges here in the 12th century).
“The remnant that survives today is part of Cornbury Park Estate, and it is closed to visitors except the one walking trail.
“This can be enjoyed as part of an eight-mile circular hike from the postcard-pretty and suitably historic little town of Charlbury.”
Wychwood Forest Trust adds: “For millennia, the ancient Wychwood Forest covered much of West Oxfordshire with its grasslands, heaths, marshes and woodlands, shaping the identity of this area.
“Today, it survives only in fragments.”
How to get to Wychwood Forest
Harriet has also shared some advice for getting to the woodland.
She said: “Charlbury station has a direct GWR service from Paddington.”
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You could also stop in Charlbury for refreshments or even stay the night: “The eight-mile circuit through Wychwood Forest starts from the town’s central crossroads, outside the Rose & Crown pub.
“The Bull offers doubles from £210 per night including breakfast.”
What is Charlbury like?
The Cotswolds website has shared what you can expect on a visit to Charlbury.
It said it’s “a charming market town set in the scenic Evenlode Valley in the northern Cotswolds”.
The website adds: “Once a centre for glove-making during the 18th and 19th centuries, the town has retained its historic character while developing a reputation as a hub for walking and countryside exploration.
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“Surrounded by the ancient remnants of Wychwood Forest and situated along the Oxfordshire Way, Charlbury combines rural charm with a welcoming, walkable town centre, making it an ideal destination for day visits or longer stays.
“The town is easily accessible via its railway station on the London to Worcester mainline.”
While in the town, you can enjoy the architecture, go shopping, or treat yourself to a bite to eat or a drink at its many cafes and restaurants.
Have you been to Wychwood Forest? Tell us in the comments below.