Days Out - New Years Walk

We took advantage of some fine weather during the New Year to get out and enjoy a walk through some local woodland known as Kings Woods which is owned by the Woodland Trust.  The woods themselves are mainly mature oak with sycamore, beech, sweet chestnut, ash and birch along with areas of southern beech, larch, Douglas and Noble fir, Sitka spruce and western hemlock. 

The woodland's boundary is edged with ancient stone walls.  The woods were hunted to keep the grand houses of the aristocracy supplied with venison.  The huntsmen did not want their quarry escaping so they turned the coping stones turned in to stop their hapless prey escaping.

 

Lying on a steep valley side of the Pentewan Valley, Kings Wood is well loved and well used by the local community.  It is a popular spot for dog walking, recreation and for people with a keen interest in the natural environment.  Titus certainly enjoyed the afternoon's jaunt.

The area is important for birds and insects with several butterfly and moth species rare to Cornwall recorded here in recent years. The site is also notable for its rich ground flora - including bluebells - and is designated a county wildlife site.