Forest Information

A 478-acre area of ancient woodland managed by Hampshire Wildlife Trust on behalf of Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council who have leased it form the owner, Englefield Estate.  The forest is a remnant of the once extensive Royal Forest of Windsor, dating back to at least Norman times, when it was a royal hunting ground.

Ownership passed to the Benyon family in 1745, as part of the Englefield estate.  The forest became a major source of materials for local woodland crafts (e.g. besoms & rakes).

Designated a SSSI in the 1950’s the forest is an area of exceptional wildlife interest.  Forty species of butterfly have been recorded including white admiral & purple emperor.

Current management policies include rotation coppicing and are aimed at providing a range of habitats for a wide variety of wildlife.

For further information see

http://www.hwt.org.uk/pages/pamber-forest-r.html