Whitegrove Copse

Whitegrove Copse

Whitegrove Copse is located to the north of Bracknell, in the parish of Warfield.

It has probably been wooded since at least 1600 and possibly longer. The name may relate to the spring blossoms of hawthorn and crab apple. The wood formed an essential part of the Holly Spring Estate infrastructure, providing wood and cover for deer. As part of the Holly Spring estate the site was owned in its last few years by the Sheppee family and the copse was part of this self-contained estate. It provided cover as a part of pheasant shoots for the estate along with wood for fire logs and pea sticks within the gardens.

During the 1990s large areas of the land surrounding Whitegrove were developed for housing, and the copse was retained as a public open space and managed by the Parks and Countryside service from 1996.

Facilities

Whitegrove Copse:

  • is designated as Ancient Woodland, a Local Nature Reserve and Local Wildlife Site for its high wildlife value
  • has hoggin and narrow wooden board bridges which form a ‘figure of 8’ route around the copse
  • has cycle paths that run from Goughs Lane to Tarragon Close and along the boundary near Top Common

How to get to Whitegrove Copse

By car

The entrance to Whitegrove Copse is located off Sage Walk and Top Common.
The main access point is on Harvest Ride, near the junction with All Saints Rise.
There is no car park but roadside parking is available. The postcode is RG42 3SH.
OS Ref: SU878702.

By foot or bike

There is also access from the cycleway linking Jigs Lane and Goughs Lane.

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Park management

The site is actively managed as a working coppice by local conservation volunteers. Hazel sticks are used for creating woven fences and hedge laying.

Wildlife

The site contains important wildlife relating to the diverse ancient woodland habitats including spring flowers such as bluebells, dead wood and old trees. Wildlife you might spot are:

  • speckled wood and holly blue butterflies
  • blackcaps and chiffchaffs are migrant birds in spring
  • dark bush crickets in late summer
  • coal tits and goldcrests can be seen and heard in the Scot's pine, Douglas fir and larch

Park guide

Attachment Size
3 MB

Contact information

Parks and Countryside

Make an enquiry

Address

Sage Walk
Newell Green
RG42 3SE
United Kingdom

Accessibility

Whitegrove Copse largely contains surfaced paths throughout the site. These can get very muddy during wet conditions. There is a footbridge leading from Sage Walk. Access can also be gained from the paved foot and cycle path to the south of the site.