Brackfield Wood
Brackfield Claudy
Woodland Trust wood group
- Brackfield Wood
- Donkey Field
- Red Brae Wood
Size:
15.02 ha (37.11 acres)
Grid reference:
C504102
Map reference:
Explorer NULL
OS Landranger NULL
Our First World War Centenary Wood for Ireland, Brackfield Wood is part of a patchwork of newly planted, mature and ancient woodland nestled in the stunning Faughan Valley Woodlands, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Brackfield Wood is one of a cluster of woods that make up the Faughan Valley Woodlands alongside Oaks Wood, Red Brae Wood, Killaloo Wood, Burntollet Wood and Brackfield Bawn, with links to Ness and Ervey Wood.
Features
- Parking nearby
- Public access
- Autumn colour
- Spring flowers
- Grassland
- Broadleaved woodland
How to get to Brackfield Wood
Brackfield Wood is on the A6 (Glenshane Road), around 13km (8 miles) south-east of Derry/Londonderry, and 3km (2 miles) from the village of Claudy.
The wood lies close to Oaks Wood (planted in 2000) and connects sections of ancient woodland at Killaloo Wood and Red Brae across the river.
Brackfield Wood can be reached in two ways depending on whether you intend to park in the Oaks Wood or the Red Brae car park.
If you want to park at Oaks Wood and are travelling from Belfast, travel west towards Derry/Londonderry. At the Dungiven roundabout, take the first exit onto the A6 dual carriageway. Continue along the A6 for just over 12 miles. Exit the dual carriageway at the Tamnaherin Road junction. Follow brown signs for 'Faughan Valley Woodlands'. The Oaks Wood car park is located just over the road bridge on the left-hand side.
If you are travelling from Derry/Londonderry, travel east towards Drumahoe. At the Drumahoe roundabout, take the second exit onto the A6 dual carriageway. Continue along the A6 for two miles and exit the dual carriageway at the Tamnaherin Road junction. Follow brown signs for 'Faughan Valley Woodlands'. The Oaks Wood car park is located just over the road bridge on the left-hand side.
If you want to park at Red Brae and are travelling from Belfast, travel west towards Derry/Londonderry. At the Dungiven roundabout, take the first exit onto the A6 dual carriageway. Continue along the A6 for just over 10 miles. Follow signs for Ardmore. Exit the dual carriageway onto Ardmore Road, then take the first left onto Ardground Road. The Red Brae Car Park is located approximately one mile along this road on the left-hand side.
If you are travelling from Derry/Londonderry, travel east towards Drumahoe. At the Drumahoe roundabout, take the second exit onto the A6 dual carriageway. Continue along the A6 for just over six miles. Exit the dual carriageway via the slip road at Gulf Road junction. At the T-Junction, turn left. Cross the road bridge then turn right to rejoin the A6 following signs for Derry/Londonderry. Continue along the A6 in the direction of Derry/Londonderry for three miles. Follow signs for Ardmore. Exit the dual carriageway onto Ardmore Road. Take the first left onto Ardground Road. The Red Brae Car Park is located approximately one mile along this road on the left-hand side.
The nearest train station is in Derry/Londonderry, 13km (8 miles) from the wood.
Visit Translink for more information.
There is a limited bus service from Derry/Londonderry to Killaloo and Claudy, travelling along the A6. The closest bus stop to the wood is on Glenshane Road.
Visit Translink for more information.
Facilities and access
You can access Brackfield Wood from entrances at Oaks Wood, Red Brae Wood, Killaloo Wood, and from two entrances on the cycle path.
There is 1km (0.6 miles) of stone and grass paths that provide views across the valley and river.
There is parking available at the Oaks Wood car park - follow the signs for Faughan Valley Woodlands.
There is also a car park at the Trust’s Red Brae Wood, accessible from Drumahoe via the Ardground Road. Access to Brackfield Wood from Red Brae car park is via a short trail and footbridge crossing. Please note the paths in Red Brae are steep in places.
The nearest toilet is at the nearby Ness Country Park with a small visitor centre. The toilet block has wheelchair-accessible pathways.
Wildlife and habitats
With a mix of habitats, Brackfield Wood has impressive assemblages of plant and animal life.
Animals
There is plenty of interesting wildlife to be found at Brackfield Wood, including kingfishers. Look out for signs of otters, like fishbone-filled droppings and the muddy tracks they leave from sliding down the banks. Unique species include the brook lamprey: a secretive eel-like fish that swims in the river nearby.
Brackfield Wood is also the perfect spot for birdwatching with buzzards, sand martins, snipe and grey wagtails all recorded at the site.
If you're really lucky, you may hear the shrill mating call of the rare pine marten during its mating season.
Look out for:
Trees, plants and fungi
With an impressive array of ground flora and a range of trees, there's plenty of plant life to spot at Brackfield Wood.
Wild flowers like bluebell, foxglove, wood anemone and poppy are dotted throughout the wood. Be sure to keep an eye out for some of the veteran oak and sycamore trees too, as well as some unusual lichens!
Look out for:
Habitats
Brackfield Wood is a mix of habitats, from mature woodland to new planting. All are rich in flora and fauna.
Explore:
About Brackfield Wood
Acquisition
The Woodland Trust purchased the main part of this wood in 2013 with funding from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and public donations.
Tree planting
Almost 28,000 trees were planted by local schools, volunteers and contractors. In 2015, a grant from the Loughs Agency helped us create a new riverside path network linking the site to neighbouring woods.
Credit: Michael Cooper / WTML
First World War Centenary Wood
Brackfield Wood was chosen as Northern Ireland's First World War Centenary Wood and is one of four woodlands across the UK that are a poignant reminder of those who lost their lives during the First World War.
Find out more about the Centenary Woods Project.
Things to do at Brackfield Wood
Walking
Make a day of your visit to Brackfield Wood, where your walk will offer an opportunity to pause for reflection along our First World War commemorative poetry trail, take a seat within our amphitheatre, or wander under the 'birds in flight' sculpture.
While you’re here, don’t miss out on a visit to the wider area, keeping an eye out for seed-pod arch sculptures that form part of the wider sculpture trail through the Faughan Valley Woodlands:
- Oaks Wood
- Burntollet Wood
- Red Brae Wood
- Killaloo Wood.
With its diverse woodlands, tranquil riverside walks, plentiful wildlife and stunning views, the Faughan Valley Woodlands – with links to Ness and Ervey Wood – is the perfect place to discover lots of short walks within each wood. You can also follow the interconnecting path network for a longer ramble around the valley.
Fishing
The Faughan River is a prime fishing destination and brimming with Atlantic salmon. If you have a valid fishing license or permit, why not grab your rod to fish in this serene setting?
Find out more about fishing in the Faughan River at Loughs Agency.
A lasting legacy
This wood is just one of many to have been protected by gifts in wills, securing it for generations to come. Your legacy gift could also make a real difference to woods, trees and wildlife.
Learn what your gift could mean
