Salcey
forest
Salcey Forest is a remnant of the old
medieval Royal Hunting Forests of Northamptonshire
offering excellent walking and oportunities to view an
amazing range of wildlife. Reminders of the past can
still be found, with many miles of ancient woodbanks,
building remains and ancient trees. The 'druids' or
veteran oaks in Salcey are rare wildlife habitats. Some
of the old oaks are believed to be over 500 years old.
The ‘Salcey Oak’ was once the biggest oak in
England. It had a circumference of over 14 metres
(46’10” in old money) and would have been
over 1600 years old this century.
The Forests provided meat for
the Crown's entourage when Kings or Queens were
travelling round the country. According to a complicated
system of Forest Law, other people could be granted
rights to gather firewood 'by hook or by crook' or to
graze livestock. On the other hand, cutting down trees or
poaching were serious offences and heavy penalties were
handed out to offenders. in 1635, 123 poor people were
tried for such offences and fined up to four pence, a
huge sum in those days.
Salcey Forest is between
Milton Keynes and Northampton, and located immediately to
the east of the small village of Hartwell. The main car
park is located off the road between Quinton and
Hanslope, about 6 miles south east of Northampton. At
weekends and peak periods the car park and forest can get
extremely busy. Salcey forest is now offering the unique
experience of aŁ700,000 Treetop walk, giving commanding
views over the county from its Watch tower and a birds
eye view of nature and wildlife in the trees. Towering 16
metres above the forest floor and over 300 metres long,
you could see woodpeckers feeding, tawny owls nesting and
probably the shy fallow deer below.
Today, the forest is managed
for its timber, wildlife and recreation. Salcey is
particularly important for its wildlife which included
the rare Dormouse and Black Hairstreak Butterfly.
Art in Salcey Forest: For a limited time, May 10th 2008-May 2009, Salcey Forest becomes host to nine sculptures by Linda Johns. They are presented as an art walk in the beautiful setting of Salcey Forest. Open to the public every day during daylight hours, the sculptures are made from stainless steel, copper or brass wire and Oak, Hazel, Ash and Pine that were found locally:
Light; Iris; Body weave III; Spirit weave II; Wood spirit; Geodesic body weave; Falling seeds; Regeneration; Wood spirit II
View her website for more details, http://www.lindajohns.com/salceyforest.htm