King's Wood

King's Wood is a magnificent ancient woodland on the Greensand Ridge, north of Heath and Reach in Bedfordshire, adjoining Rammamere Heath. It forms part of the largest area of deciduous woodland in Bedfordshire and is part of the Kings Wood and Rushmere National Nature Reserve, managed jointly by the Wildlife Trust, the Greensand Trust, Tarmac and Central Bedfordshire Council. Free to visit and open at all times, the wood has walking trails through multi-stemmed small-leaved lime, hornbeam, mighty oaks and silver birch, with seasonal ponds scattered throughout. In spring, bluebells, primroses and lily-of-the-valley carpet the woodland floor, and the adjoining Rammamere Heath is cloaked in purple heather in late summer. Look out for great spotted woodpeckers, nuthatches, treecreepers, and white admiral and silver-washed fritillary butterflies; the open heath hosts tree pipits and, in summer, basking adders. Note that King's Wood is in multiple ownership and parts are privately owned without public access — stick to the waymarked reserve trails. Trails can be muddy and boggy in winter, and dogs must be kept on a lead. The nearest visitor facilities are at Rushmere Country Park, adjacent.