Wain Wood

Wain Wood is an ancient woodland extending to 19.2 hectares (47 acres) near Preston in North Hertfordshire. The site is a Site of Special Scientific Interest which was notified in 1986 under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The local planning authority is North Hertfordshire District Council.[1][2] It is a relict of a large forest which extended from Hitchin to Hatfield.[3]

Wain Wood
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Area of SearchPreston, Hertfordshire
Grid referenceTL180255
InterestBiological
Area19.2 hectares
Notification1986
Location mapMagic Map

Description

Wain Wood is situated on a north-east facing slope which is over decalcified boulder clay and is an example of a habitat which has a limited and localised distribution in the United Kingdom anymore due to deforestation or afforestation, especially with conifers. The woodland is dominated by pedunculate oak, sessile oak with hornbeam in the north of the site and gean to the south. At the centre of the wood is a disused pit which is surrounded by ash and gean. Much of the south of the area consisting of acidic grassland. Wain Wood is host to a diverse butterfly fauna including purple hairstreak,[1] and the speckled wood.[3]

History

Wain Wood's name has been associated with a site of pagan worship but it may, more prosaically, derive from the old word for a wagon and refer to a wagon way which passed through the area. It was used by Quaker families from Hitchin for recreation, mainly the enjoyment of nature. Hornbeam was coppiced here and the bark of the trees was collected for use in tanning. The author and Baptist preacher John Bunyan preached in Wain Wood, sometimes the congregations in the wood would number into the thousands. Up to th 1880s anniversary services were held in the wood to commemorate Bunyan's preaching there.[3]

There is access by a footpath from the bottom of Preston Hill.[3]

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See also

References
  1. "Wain Wood citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  2. "Map of Wain Wood". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  3. "Wain Wood Bunyan's Cottage and Dell". A History of Preston in Hertfordshire. Philip Wray. Retrieved 20 March 2020.

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