Wither Wood

Thought to be named after the Old Norse word for ‘wood’, Wither Wood has a fascinating past that can be traced back to the 14th century.

Throughout its history, this precious ancient woodland site in West Yorkshire has been used by local people as an important economic resource, providing timber, firewood, grazing and fire clay. It has also been referred to as ‘Springwood’, a name that harks back to the coppicing and pollarding of trees here during medieval times.

An intimate mosaic of habitats thrives across this eight-hectare site. Ancient oak woodland is found alongside wet woodland of young birch and heathland glade rich in heather. Dividing the wood are three sparkling streams, their gently sloping banks often carpeted in ancient woodland indicator species such as bluebell, lesser celandine, wood anemone, wood sorrel, yellow archangel, greater stitchwort and dog’s mercury. In some areas, swathes of brambles and bracken spring up across the woodland floor, interspersed with hazel, rowan and century-old holly trees. A plentiful supply of deadwood provides essential nutrients for wildlife. Listen to the symphony of birdsong; this woodland is home to woodpeckers, treecreepers, bullfinches and long-tailed tits.