{"id":29625,"date":"2023-08-11T19:21:35","date_gmt":"2023-08-11T17:21:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=150611"},"modified":"2023-08-11T19:40:50","modified_gmt":"2023-08-11T17:40:50","slug":"delve-into-the-magical-world-of-britains-woodlands-with-12-must-walk-trails","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/delve-into-the-magical-world-of-britains-woodlands-with-12-must-walk-trails\/","title":{"rendered":"Delve into the magical world of Britain\u2019s woodlands with 12 must-walk trails"},"content":{"rendered":"

Step into some of Britain’s most beautiful forests, keeping an eye out for wildflowers and wild creatures, with BBC Countryfile Magazine’s pick of gorgeous woodland walks <\/p>

By Daniel Graham\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 11 August 2023 at 17:21 PM<\/p>

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The romance of Britain\u2019s woodlands is hard to deny. Perhaps it\u2019s the light, dropping quietly down tree trunks and peering through leaves? Or the scent of ripe berries, cracked nuts<\/a> and rotting leaves?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s certain our woodlands and forests<\/a> are magnificent, and to wonder beneath their burnished canopies in autumn or to smell their fresh green shoots in spring stirs something primal inside. It seems the creatures of the forest<\/a> share this sentiment, their feverish gathering and storing, and their jubilant singing and playing, seldom far from our senses.<\/p>\n

The UK is home to many great woodlands and, no matter what time of year, they are always a pleasure to walk through<\/p>\n

Here, we reveal some of our favourite walks among woodlands, from a quest to discover the source of the River Severn in Mid Wales and a stomp through Cannock Chase in Staffordshire to a short stroll beneath the big trees of Perthshire.<\/p>\n

Looking for more information about Britain\u2019s woodland? Read our guides to the history of Britain\u2019s woodlands<\/a>, 12 woodland flowers to look out for<\/a> and spectacular arboretums to visit in the UK<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Woodland animals: 12 spectacular species to spot<\/h4>\n

Our woodlands and forests are home to a huge range of mammals, birds and insects. Discover which animals live in UK woodlands<\/a> with BBC Countryfile Magazine\u2019s wildlife guide.<\/p>\n

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\"European<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>

Cannock Chase, Staffordshire<\/h3>\n

6.5 miles\/10.5km | 4 hours | moderate | 159m ascent<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Scots<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Cannock Chase is mainland England\u2019s smallest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty\/Credit: Simon Whaley<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

At 26-square miles, Cannock Chase is mainland England\u2019s smallest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This former medieval royal hunting forest includes ancient woodland, conifer plantations, and open heathland, supporting endangered species such as nightjar<\/a> and woodcock. This 6.5-mile walk explores all of these habitats and their wildlife.<\/p>\n

Cannock Chase is worth visiting all through the year, but there is something particularly special about exploring the AONB in autumn. Come in October and see male fallow deer crossing the Chase for the rut. Muntjac and red deer patrol these parts, occasionally harvesting the rare Chase berry, a blueberry-cowberry hybrid. Search the skies for migrating redwings, and scrutinise the Scots pines for crossbills.<\/p>\n