800 Years of Woodland History

The history of Mortimores Wood can, through documentary evidence, be traced back to the 12th century, at which time it formed part of the Royal Forest of Pewsham, a hunting preserve of the King, with strict laws controlling what the ordinary people could do in the Forest.


Bluebells growing in the wood

It is widely accepted that there is no woodland in England that has not been subjected to management by man. Where it can be shown that a wood has a history dating to before 1600AD and contains mostly native species (as does Mortimores Wood) then it is classified as Semi-natural Ancient Woodland.