Thank you

Work within Bluebell Wood, including the production of this trail, has been supported by the Forestry Commission.

Nene ParkHam LanePeterboroughPE2 5UU

Tel: 01733 234193

www.neneparktrust.org.uk

/nene-park-trust

@neneparktrust

A wood for people

Bluebell Wood is a great place to explore. There is an amazing display of Bluebells in spring and the smell of Wild Garlic in summer. Later in the year enjoy the autumnal colours and the lovely views once the leaves fall in winter.

Bluebell Wood was once part of the Milton Estate. It would have visited by generations of the family and their friends during their free-time. Popular past-times would have included boating on the river and enjoying the view from the Mount while taking afternoon tea.

A wood for nature

Nene Park Rangers and Volunteers have been working to make the wood even better for wildlife.

Some areas have been cleared and then replanted to increase the number of tree species in the wood. Areas of Hazel are also cut (coppiced) for use in the Park and to encourage regrowth. All of which makes great habitat for wildlife and creates a diverse woodland for all to enjoy.

Images courtesy of Chris Porsz and Paul Gallagher

Bluebell Wood is over 400 years old. Throughout it’s lifetime, the wood has been used for timber, recreation and as a home for wildlife. We hope you enjoy your visit.

A wood for ever

It is believed that the Oaks you see in the wood today were planted to replace those used during the Napoleonic wars over 200 years ago.

The Willow (or Osier) beds in Bluebell Wood were planted over 150 years ago. They supplied Peterborough’s thriving basket making industry which operated right up until the 1930s.

The Osier beds then slipped into decline until being recovered after the Park opened to the public in 1978. Nowadays the Willow is regularly coppiced by Nene Park Rangers and Volunteers and used for fencing in the Park.

Gunwade Lake

Overton Lake

River N

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River NeneLynch Lake

HamMere

Heron Meadow

ShortMeadow

Milton Ferry Bridge

Swallow BridgeLandy Bridge

Goldie Bridge

Lynch FarmBridge

Bluebell BridgeHam Bridge

Pontoon Bridge

LongMeadow

HorseMeadow

LynchMeadow

OakMeadow

Orton Wistow

ConeyMeadow

Overflow

OrtonMeadows

Golf Course GoldieMeadow

Thorpe WoodGolf

Course

BluebellWood

RomanPoint

Lynch Plantation

Nene

Way

Nene Way

Nen

e W

ay

N

Orton Mere,Thorpe Meadows

and City Centre

Orton Mere

WaterNewton

Alwalton

Castor and

Wansford

Castor &Ailsworth

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0

400

400

200

200metres

yards

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9 8 7

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5River N

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Distance: 2.6 miles / 4.3km

Access for All: The trail follows surfaced and woodland paths with some steep sections.

Detailed access information can be found on our website under Access for All or by calling into Ferry Meadows Visitor Centre

Members of the Fitzwilliam family living at Milton House would have brought guests to the Mount to view the estate and to take refreshments.

The scent of Wild Garlic fi lls the wood during May and June; particularly if you go down the steps in Bluebell Wood.

Look out for the London Plane tree with its distinctive bark - it is one of the tallest trees in the wood.

Don’t miss the Bluebells which grow throughout this area of the wood; often at their best in April or May.

The pond next to the Sheepwash sculpture was formerly used to wash sheep from the Milton Estate’s land before shearing.

Have a close look at the totem to discover the wildlife, trees and plants which call Bluebell Wood home.

Willow has been grown here for at least 150 years. It was used to supply the local basket

making industry. Baskets were still being produced up until the 1930s.

Remember to look up as you explore the wood. Some of the trees are over 25 metres tall.

Milton Ferry Bridge, was built in 1716 by Earl Fitzwilliam to improve access across his estate by linking Milton Hall to the Great North Road at Alwalton.

Route Alternative start

Visitor Centre

Café

Parking

Toilets

Steep sections

Steps

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Pause for a moment to enjoy the great views up and down the river from Bluebell Bridge.

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