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Haw Park Wood
Haw Park Lane
Wintersett
Wakefield
Yorkshire
WF4 2EB
E: countrysideinterp@wakefield.gov.uk
Haw Park Wood is ideal for walking, relaxing and enjoying nature. There is open access to all parts of the woodland, though most visitors keep to the woodland rides and the all-weather footpath network.
The Trans Pennine Trail and the disused Barnsley Canal pass through the wood providing good walking and cycling links to the wider countryside.
In the 1600's Haw Park Wood was originally part of the much larger ancient Don Forest, and was predominantly native broad-leaved species of oak and birch. Between 1940 and 1960, much of the woodland was replanted with fast growing larch and pine trees to supply timber to the coal mining industry.
Haw Park Wood also has historic links with the adjoining Walton Hall Estate, once home to Charles Waterton, the famous 17th century naturalist and conservationist. One of his original wildlife observation hides still remains in the woodland, its recent restoration sponsored by the Wakefield Rotary Club.
Haw Park Wood has been designated a Site of Scientific Interest and a Local Nature Reserve because of its value to wildlife. The woodland provides a range of habitats for several rare and important species of plants, beetles, newts, birds and butterflies. A variety of mammals such as foxes, weasels, stoats, badgers and roe deer have also been sighted.
The woodland is within easy walking distance of the car park at the Waterton Discovery Centre, Anglers Country Park.
Services offered:
- Nature reserve
