Wrekin Forest Habitats

The origins of the heathland atop The Wrekin are as old as the Celtic hillfort encircling it and speak of a time when Bronze Age settlers first cleared the land for agriculture. Today, it provides the backdrop for a unique array of wildlife that thrives in this threatened landscape.

The Wrekin Forest encompasses far more than trees alone. Open farmland surrounds the hill on three sides linking its wooded heart to the floodplains of the Severn and providing connections to the wider landscape for countless birds, insects and mammals.

South of the hill, the Wrekin Forest landscape slopes relentlessly to the floodplains of the Severn. Rainwater washes into the river via a complex of unique wooded dingles, each playing a vital role in determining the quality of the wider landscape and the wildlife found there.

The rich geology and woodland heritage of the Wrekin Forest has long made it a valuable resource for local industry. Today, the scars from centuries of exploitation are being softened by natural regeneration, providing unique conditions for an incredible array of flora and fauna.

From grazing marsh to heath, hay meadow and pasture, the Wrekin Forest is home to an assortment of grassland habitat — a product of its varied geology. Each is capable of supporting an equally varied array of plantlife that can take root in practically any location.