About Dowdeswell Conservation Wood

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Dowdeswell wood is a 79.90 hectare (197 acre) site and lies on the northern slopes of the Chelt Valley. The woodland formed part of the grounds for Dowdeswell Reservoir and became an extension to this reserve in 1992 under agreement with Severn Trent Water.

Since 1995 extensive management works were carried out by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, with the woodland being managed as a Nature Reserve. A way-marked series of paths were created, accessible from the Cotswolds Way national trail.

The majority of the woodland is classified as ancient woodland, meaning that is has continually existed since the 1600's. Ancient woods are our richest and most complex terrestrial habitat in the UK and they are home to more threatened species than any other.

The character of this wood was changed dramatically in the 1960s as extensive conifer planting was carried out post-war, and subsequently in the mid to late 1980s following felling of diseased Elms.

Due to the woodland largely being restocked with non-native conifer, the woods is now classified as a Plantation on Ancient Woodland Site (PAWS). Although damaged, the woods still has the complex soil of ancient woodland, and is likely to contain remnants of the woodland specialist species which occurred before.  We are working to restore the woodland to its former glory. 

Dowdeswell Conservation Limited 

(Charity number 1160969)

For the public benefit, the preservation of woodland through purchase and thereafter environmental and ecological conservation of it (together with any further land acquired) providing for managed access to the relevant land:-

1. for educational purposes by special interest groups
2. for educational purposes by educational establishments: and for the general public for recreation
3. through the use of permissive paths.