Gillian's Wood
Herefordshire
Featuring gnarled ancient trees, a wide variety of birdlife and delicate wild flowers, as well as stunning views over the surrounding countryside, Gillian’s Wood is a beautiful ancient woodland site that we are restoring to its former glory.
By removing non-native conifers and introducing conservation grazing by cows, together with with Natural England we are encouraging wood pasture and ancient woodland habitats to flourish.
Gillian’s Wood is made up of two combined woodlands: Moccas Hill Wood (managed by Natural England) and Woodbury Hill Wood (managed by the Woodland Trust). The site is named in memory of Gillian Bulmer, who lived in Herefordshire and was a great supporter of woods and trees across the UK.
In 2024, the King appointed this woodland and the neighbouring site a National Nature Reserve, known as Moccas Park and Gillian’s Wood National Nature Reserve.
Features
- Public access
- Good views
- Spring flowers
- Ancient woodland
How to get to Gillian's Wood
Gillian’s Wood lies between Hay on Wye and Hereford, near the River Wye and the villages of Moccas, Dorstone and Bredwardine.
There is a small car park off Pentre Lane, a narrow lane with passing places, which can be accessed from the B4348 from Dorstone or the B4352 from Bredwardine or Moccas.
Look out for a sign at the entrance for Moccas Park and Gillian’s Wood National Nature Reserve. The single track from Pentre Lane to the car park crosses a farmer’s field and has no passing places, so please check for cars already on this track.
Hereford Station is 14 miles away.
Visit National Rail for more information.
Buses leave Hereford bus station and stop at either Crossway Corner in Dorstone or the Red Lion between Bredwardine and Moccas. It is then a 20–30-minute walk along Pentre Lane to reach the site.
Visit Traveline for more information.
Facilities and access
There is one entrance via Pentre Lane, between Bredwardine and Dorstone, which takes you up a track to the car park. From here, there are several paths, including two waymarked trails. The Woodland Walk is a 1km route within the wood pasture restoration area, covering mainly grass and natural paths. The Restoration Ramble is significantly longer at 5.2km and takes you through the wood pasture restoration area and into the ancient woodland restoration area on a mix of surfaced and unsurfaced tracks, which can be wet and muddy with some short, steep sections.
There is also a network of footpaths within the parkland restoration area. These include short circuits from the car park with easy access for wheelchair users and pushchairs, as well as longer, more challenging routes with some steep slopes and rougher ground.
Please avoid the unmarked tracks in the ancient woodland restoration area, as these do not lead anywhere and are extremely steep, isolated, slippery and muddy.
There is a small car park suitable for 10 cars off Pentre Lane. Natural England run a voluntary car parking charge here which can be paid in advance or on the day using the RingGo app.
There are no public toilets. The closest public toilets are in Hereford, though there may also be pubs or farm shops open nearby.
Wildlife and habitats
Animals
The diverse habitats of Gillian’s Wood support a variety of wildlife, from open scrub-loving species such as stonechat and linnet, to woodland specialists like treecreeper and goshawk. Keep an eye out for bounding hares and grazing cows in the wood pasture restoration area.
Look out for:
Trees, plants and fungi
The ancient trees of the future are growing in the wood pasture restoration area. These saplings are protected by wooden cages and have been grown from seed from the ancient trees of Moccas Park, including the old man of Moccas. There are several surviving ancient trees within the ancient woodland restoration area, including large-leaved lime trees. Wild flowers typical of ancient woodland bloom here and will continue to spread as we remove conifers, allowing more light to reach the woodland floor. Look out for yellow pimpernel, wood sorrel, bluebell, wild garlic, golden saxifrage, tutsan, wood spurge and tufted hair grass.
Look out for:
Habitats
Together with Natural England, we are restoring a patchwork of wood pasture and ancient woodland habitats.
Natural England are encouraging conservation grazing by cows and planting new trees from the seeds of ancient trees to bolster the wood pasture.
Meanwhile, we are removing non-native conifer trees from the ancient woodland area to create more space and light, so that ancient trees, young saplings and vibrant wild flowers can thrive.
Explore:
History of Gillian’s Wood
Gillian's Wood comprises two areas of land, previously known as Moccas Hill Wood and Woodbury Hill Wood.
Moccas Hill Wood was part of the Moccas Deer Park until the 1950s, when it was sold to the Forestry Commission. The site has since been purchased by the Woodland Trust and leased to Natural England to restore the land to wood pasture. The restoration process will take many years, but already the site has seen an increase in wildlife, with bluebells carpeting the site in spring and tree pipits and linnets nesting in the developing scrub.
Woodbury Hill Wood was purchased by the Woodland Trust in 2023. The ancient woodland requires restoration including the removal of conifers and the encouragement of the native broadleaved woodland to re-establish.
In 2024, to celebrate the coronation of the King, Gillian’s Wood’s and the neighbouring land were designated as a National Nature Reserve, leaving a lasting public legacy for people and nature.
The site is named after Gillian Bulmer. As well as being part of the famed Hereford cider industry, Gillian was a dedicated campaigner for ancient woodland and her beloved heritage orchards, and was also a long-term member and supporter of the Woodland Trust. Her brother, John Bulmer, says, "nature was so precious to Gillian. Gillian’s Wood is a lovely place for people to enjoy. I can’t think of a better thing to leave for posterity than a vital wildlife-rich wood."
Things to do at Gillian's Wood
Walks
There are a number of scenic walks to enjoy around Gillian's Wood, offering stunning views across Herefordshire. On a good day, Credenhill Park Wood can be seen in the distance from the top of the wood. A walk from Gillian's Wood can take you to Arthur’s Stone (owned by English Heritage): a neolithic burial site linked to the legend of King Arthur.
Waymarked trails give visitors the option of a shorter walk or a significantly longer walk. The Woodland Walk is a 1km route within the wood pasture restoration area. The Restoration Ramble is significantly longer at 5.2km and takes you through the wood pasture restoration area and into the ancient woodland restoration area.
Volunteering
Natural England has a volunteer group who undertake tasks within both areas of this site.
Visiting woods
Walking dogs in our woods
Dogs are welcome for walkies in our woods. Take a look at our tips and guidelines for ensuring we keep our woods safe and special for dogs and wildlife.
Visiting woods
Walking
Taking a walk in the woods is the easiest way to enjoy the outdoors and get closer to nature.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Every year, thousands of people give their precious time to help us protect and care for woods and trees.
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