Management Plan

 

It is the largest semi -natural ancient woodland in the County.  Ancient woodlands are those present since at least 1600AD, and are particularly valuable because of their long history, resulting in a wealth of wildflowers like bluebells, and a wide range of other wildlife.

 

The woods support several UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species (for example Song Thrush) and habitats (wet woodland). Because of its high wildlife value, it is a proposed a Local Nature Reserve.

 

Around 300-400,000 visits are made to the woodland every year, using the extensive path network. Visitors come from across the City and adjoining areas. The site is also well used for education activities by local schools, universities and by the City Council, like the Ranger Service.

 

Ecclesall Woods has a long history of active management to produce timber, charcoal and other wood products. From the 16^th century until the late nineteenth century the woodland was managed as a "coppice with standards", with parts of the woodland regularly cut down every 15-25 years and then allowed to re-grow. The cut material or "coppice" was used for firewood, making charcoal, etc. The "standards" were trees allowed to grow for around 100 years, and then felled to provide timber for house building, etc.

 

The woodland is also of major archaeological and historical interest, with features from pre-history (Romano-British field systems) through to the middle ages (charcoal hearths, whitecoal pits, wood colliers grave) and beyond. The South Yorkshire Archaeology Service considers it one of the most important woodlands in the County.

 

A site management Plan has been produced, which aims to safeguard the future of Ecclesall Woods as a special place for people and wildlife.

 

The plan has pulled together the known information on the site for recreation, wildlife, and archaeology amongst other things and after talking and liasing with many different organisations and the local community, sets out management objectives for the long-term and a programme of maintenance and improvement works for the next five years.

 

The Parks and Countryside Service, who manage the site on behalf of Sheffield City Council, have prepared the plan. The Friends of Ecclesall Woods, Sheffield Hallam University and South Yorkshire Archaeology Service have all been heavily involved in preparing the plan.