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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>How many forests are there in the UK?<\/h2>\n
According to the latest report by Forest Research<\/a>, which was released in June 2021, the UK has 1.41 million hectares, including all Forestry Commission, Forestry and Land Scotland, Natural Resources Wales, Forest Service woodland.<\/p>\n It estimates that the area of woodland in the UK as of 31st March 2021 is estimated to be 3.23 million hectares. \u00a0This represents 13% of the total land area in the UK, 10% in England, 15% in Wales, 19% in Scotland and 9% in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n Related articles<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> The most stable ecosystems are the oldest, the least disturbed, the most natural, the ancient. \u2018Ancient\u2019 woods are, by the definition of our own era, older than AD1600. Why 1600? Because after that date, woodland planting began and has become commonplace ever since, so before that date the chances are that woods evolved by nature\u2019s hand and at nature\u2019s pace, like the mountains<\/a> and the oceans.<\/p>\n The Forestry Commission recently celebrated its centenary, marking 100 years since essential work and tree planting was carried out to replenish Britain\u2019s forests after the First World War. While the state owns much of the woodlands in Britain, \u00a0the government body, the Forestry Commission, maintains the majority of the woodlands and forests in England. <\/a>In Wales, the commission merged with Natural Resources Wales<\/a> in 2013.<\/p>\n In Scotland, woodlands and forests are looked after by Forestry and Land Scotland<\/a> while Scottish Forestry<\/a> is responsible for policy and regulation.<\/p>\n In Northern Ireland, forests\u00a0are managed by the\u00a0Forest Service of Northern Ireland<\/a>.<\/p>\n Additionally, the Woodland Trust<\/a> is the UK\u2019s largest woodland conservation charity, caring for more than 1,000 woods throughout the UK and working on restoring, protecting and planting trees.<\/p>\n Founded in September 1919, the Forestry Commission began work to restore England\u2019s forests and woodlands that had been lost during the First World War. Celebrating its centenary year in 2019, our guide looks at the history of the UK\u2019s forests and woodlands, wildlife to spot and the best forests to visit.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> The strain of the First World War left woodlands in a state in disrepair, and by 1919, woodland cover was at an all-time low of 5%. It was decided that an urgent solution was needed, and on the 1st<\/sup>\u00a0September 1919, The Forestry Act was passed.<\/p>\n This act created the Forestry Commission \u2013 a body that would create woods and forests owned by the state.<\/p>\n Today, the commission is England\u2019s largest land manager and custodian of the nation\u2019s public forests. It manages the nation\u2019s forests, which consists of around 20% of England\u2019s woodland.<\/p>\n Related content<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> Home to the only remaining indigenous woodland red deer herd in England, Grizeland is a haven for wildlife with roe deer<\/a> and red kites to be seen along with barn owls<\/a> and buzzards.<\/p>\n Find magical sculptures among the trees on\u00a0an eight-walk through this hilly Lake District\u00a0forest.<\/a><\/p>\n More related content:<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> There are over 2,400 hectares of historic woodland in this former royal hunting forest, as well as more than 100 bodies of water, some of which have formed in the remains of Second World War bomb craters.<\/p>\n The woodland, managed by the City of London Corporation, was pollarded in the 19th century, resulting in some interestingly shaped trees. Look out for beech, oak, hornbeam, silver birch and holly, as well as fallow and muntjac deer, European adders, rare plants and fungi<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Epping Forest is only a short Overground journey from the centre of London and offers more than 50 miles of off-road bike trails.<\/p>\n Epping Forest bike route and map<\/a><\/p>\n On 23 October 1802, Dorothy Wordsworth wrote in her journal: \u201cA breathless, grey day that leaves the golden woods\u00a0of autumn quiet in their tranquillity, stately and beautiful in their decaying. The lake is a perfect mirror.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n A six-mile circular tour around\u00a0Grasmere\u00a0and\u00a0Rydal Water \u2013 passing through High Wood, Knott Wood, Deerbolts Wood and Nickolas Wood \u2013 illustrates perfectly how her description of the autumnal landscape is just as evocative today as it was when she wrote it in her journal 215 years ago.<\/p>\n Grasmere and Rydal Water walking route and map<\/a><\/p>\n Explore tranquil Kielder Water and Forest, the uk\u2019s largest man-made lake, tethered to the western border of Northumberland National Park<\/a>. Surrounding the water is the largest working forest in England (250 square miles), home to a wealth of wildlife, including ospreys.<\/p>\n Walk the Lakeside Way, a 27-mile multi-access trail, circumnavigates the lake.<\/p>\n Kielder Forest walking route and map<\/a><\/p>\n In Autumn, amidst a ruddy blaze of oaks, beeches, larches and sweet chestnuts, it\u2019s easy to forget that the Forest of Dean has been shaped by industry, from tree-felling for shipbuilding in the 16th century to coal mining in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Relics of this past are dotted throughout the forest, including the former Lightmoor Colliery at Foxes Bridge, which closed in 1930.<\/p>\n Explore this spectacular forest with a family bike ride through over muddy trails in search of one of Britain\u2019s most elusive mammals, the wild boar<\/a>.<\/p>\nWhat is the definition of ancient woodland?<\/h2>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Who looks after Britain\u2019s forests and woodlands?<\/h2>\n
History of Britain\u2019s forests and woodlands: 100 years of the Forestry Commission<\/a><\/h4>\n
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<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>What does the Forestry Commission do?<\/h2>\n
Best forest and woodlands in England<\/h2>\n
Grizedale, Cumbria<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Epping Forest, Essex<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Rydal and Grasmere, Cumbria<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Kielder Forest, Northumberland<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire<\/h3>\n
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