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Essex -
Places of Interest
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Belhus Wood Country Park
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Romford Road, Aveley, Essex RM15 4XJ
Tel: 01708 865628
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Belhus Woods Country Park has a diverse landscape of
woodlands, grasslands and lakes. You can fish, play games, fly kites, have a
picnic or ride your horse here. You may prefer to just sit by tranquil waters
feeding the birds or,in spring, to quietly wander through a woodland carpet of
bluebells.
The estate was once owned by the Barrett-Lennard family.
Capability Brown and Richard Woods laid out an 18th century park for Lord Dacre
over earlier more formal gardens. The Shrubbery and Long Pond were created by
Woods in 1770 and are now cut by the M25.
A `stench pipe' disguised as a Tudor chimney also survives
in the south of the Park. The ancient wood-lands have changed little in shape
and size since their mapping in 1777 by Chapman and Andre, although there has
been significant extra planting since.
The woodlands are home to rich communities of wildlife. An
observant bird-watcher may see green, greater or lesser spotted wood-peckers
and numerous creepy crawlies can be spotted by an enthusiastic child.
The Ranger Service manages the woods according to their
timber content and wildlife value. Timber from Running Water Wood is used for
thatching and hurdle making, with the hazel plots cut on a regular eight year
cycle. This traditional management practice, called coppicing, benefits the
wildlife by increasing light penetration allowing seeds to germinate and plants
to thrive. You can now experience the splendour of plants, once common in
traditional coppiced woodlands, such as early purple orchids and graceful
ragged robins in a sea of bluebells.
The Visitors' Centre has a shop and education facilities
where light refreshments, gifts and information can be obtained. The Essex
Ranger Service also offers guided walks, volunteer tasks, assisted school
visits and a variety of events throughout the year.
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 This
entry is in the Country Living Guide to East Anglia.
For further
information on this title please
Click Here
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Travel Publishing Ltd, 7a Apollo House, Calleva Park,
Aldermaston, Berkshire, UK RG7 8TN
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