Credenhill
Woodland Trust wood
Size:
90.68 ha (224.07 acres)
Grid reference:
SO450446
Map reference:
Explorer 202
OS Landranger 149
With a past as a Roman army depot, medieval deer park and the site of an Iron Age tribal centre, Credenhill Park Wood is steeped in history. Add to that a range paths to explore, terrific views of the Black Mountains, stunning woodland flowers and a variety of wildlife, and this is simply too good a wood to miss.
Credenhill Park Wood (90-hectares) is 0.8km (0.5 miles) from the Hereford Hills village of Credenhill and 8km (5 miles) north-west of Hereford.
It occupies a prominent position in the landscape, rising to 221 metres (725 feet) above sea level, with views over the Wye Valley and beyond.
From Hereford, take the A438 and turn right onto the A480, shortly after the Wyevale nursery. Go straight on at a roundabout, then take the second turning on the right after the army barracks. There is a brown sign pointing to the wood. The main entrance is on the left.
The nearest train station is Hereford, around 8km (5 miles) from the wood.
Visit National Rail for more information.
The nearest bus stop is on Station Road, Credenhill.
Visit Traveline for more information.
The woodland is formed on a rounded knoll of land so all of the paths have steep sections. The main lower routes that follow contours are surfaced but all other paths are not. Steps and handrails are installed at very steep points as the ground is often wet and slippery.
There are two entrances to the wood, both at the south of the site. Horse riding along a designated route is available through license agreement.
The wood’s main entrance is at the car park just off the Credenhill-Tillington road. The path leads up the slope from the car park, which is suitable for pushchairs.
There is a free Woodland Trust car park at the main entrance to the wood with space for around 10 to 12 cars.
The nearest toilets are at the Bell Inn pub, north of Credenhill Park, for customers’ use only.
Credenhill Park Wood is a Special Wildlife Site, brimming with a wide range of woodland animals. Fallow, roe and muntjac deer graze in the wood, and grey squirrels and badgers have also been seen here.
Look out for:
Drifts of bluebells flourish in the ancient broadleaf areas of the Credenhill Park Wood during spring, along with early purple orchid and herb-paris. You may also catch a whiff of the wild garlic which grows in the wood too. Look out for the striking scarlet elf cup fungi peeking out from the forest floor and deadwood areas during winter.
Look out for:
Credenhill Park Wood contains a variety of trees and wild flowers in its areas of ancient semi-natural woodland and wet woodland, and supports a wonderful array of wildlife. There are also areas of conifer plantation.
Explore:
We bought the wood in 2003 with help from the local community, funding bodies and Herefordshire Archaeology.
Credenhill Park Wood is steeped in history. At the peak of the wood you'll find one of Britain's large Iron Age hillforts. It is believed to have had a variety of different uses throughout history, from a social centre serving local communities to a medieval deer park.
Parts of the Credenhill hillfort were excavated between 2007 and 2009. Iron Age finds included pottery from the Malvern Hills and briquetage - a coarse ceramic that was used during the production of salt - as well as burnt clay from clay ovens. These finds date the site to around 350 BC. Bronze Age pottery was also discovered, along with other finds indicating that at least part of the hillfort was used by the Roman army during the First Century AD.
The generous funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has enabled us to do a lot of important work at Credenhill Park Wood.
One of our long-running HLF projects brought together dedicated volunteers on a series of archaeological investigations which unearthed the story of Roman occupation in the first century AD and discovered the way ramparts were constructed.
HLF has also helped us deliver a tree-removal programme that prevented further damage to the sensitive Iron Age hillfort from uprooting trees.
This wood is one of more than 50 across the UK where it's possible to dedicate trees, benches or larger areas of woodland. Mark a special occasion or celebrate the life of a loved one with a meaningful gesture that lasts.
Choose a dedicationWith both surfaced and unsurfaced paths and several routes to follow, Credenhill is a popular destination for walkers. Follow the 2.4km (1.5 miles) yellow walk, the 3.2km (2 miles) white walk or the 4km (2.5 miles) blue walk. Each walk is strenuous as they are on a hill.
Combine outdoor activity with technology and embark on a fun treasure hunt. Use a GPS device to locate the caches – each one has its own page to help you find it:
