Introduction
Oakley Woods is a 47ha plantation on an ancient woodland site, situated in the south of the District near to the village of Bishops Tachbrook. A "plantation on ancient woodland site" (PAWS) is a site which is known to have been continuously wooded since at least 1600, but which is now planted with conifers or other non-native trees.
Warwick District Council purchased Oakley Woods in 2008 and adopted a management plan in 2009, following extensive public consultation. The Council's vision for the wood is:
“Oakley Wood is to be perpetuated for future generations as a prominent and attractive woodland feature within the local landscape, whilst over time becoming increasingly naturalistic in its composition and structure and thereby heightening its biodiversity value. The woodland is to be made available as a local resource for informal low impact recreational and educational use and management is to recognise and reflect the woodland as a renewable natural resource”
 Over the next few decades it is hoped to gradually restore Oakley Wood to being a native woodland, composed of trees that are native to this part of Warwickshire such as oak, ash and rowan. Native woodland is of more benefit to wildlife and biodiversity than plantation conifers, and particularly so when it is on an ancient woodland site. This change will mean the gradual removal of most of the conifers that are there now, such as scots pine and douglas fir.
Public access
Public access is permitted throughout Oakley Wood. Dogs are allowed but must be under control at all times.
Things to see
Oakley Wood is one of Warwick District's largest areas of accessible natural space and a great place to come just to find some peace and quiet. It's large enough to be able to get away from the crowds, even on a busy day.
As an ancient woodland site there is still plenty of evidence of ancient woodland flora, including carpets of bluebells and other wild flowers each spring. The woods are home to many birds, and you may be lucky enough to catch sight of a deer.
There are some stunning old oaks at the south of the wood, and some interesting examples of old woodland boundary marking, consisting of a bank and ditch and layered oaks.
Oakley Wood Camp
Within Oakley Wood can be found an area of extensive earthworks known as Oakley Wood Camp. It is not entirely clear what the area was ever used for, or indeed what period it was constructed. Whilst some believe it to be an iron age fort, others have suggested that it is the remnants of a medieval woodland management system. It appears to have been constructed in at least two phases, with the longer bank that runs right through the woods from east to west not having been built at the same time as the rest of the banks. Whatever its history, Oakley Wood Camp is a scheduled ancient monument.
Latest news
(Last updated 29 November 2011)
The thinning work in Oakley Wood has now been completed. We were very lucky with the weather and because the ground remained dry throughout most of the work there was limited damage. The Friends of Oakley Wood and council officers will be organising a couple of work days during December to remove some of the brash from the rides and paths to make it easier to walk in the wood.
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