Walk 36 Firestone Copse

A bit late starting on my photo walks this year as it has been cool and not sunny enough to tempt me! But with the advent of the bluebell season I decided to try a new location, Firestone Copse in Wootton.

 The walk begins by The Sloop Inn at Wootton Creek and follows the edge of the lake.

From the Sloop cross the bridge and head up Kite Hill until a few yards along Firestone Copse Rd turns off to the right. Passing Kite Farm and Campsite you come to the edge of the copse after about 20 mins.

 From the road I soon saw a patch of blue and headed into the copse to find a shady corner filled with bluebells.

 Underfoot were carpets of Wood Anemones too...

 ...and of course lots of primroses.

But on wandering further in I found faint paths that soon disappeared, so I returned to the road and followed it down until I found the carpark and main entrance to the copse, about half an hour's walk from Wootton Creek. The copse is managed by the Forestry Commission and is composed of mixed conifers and broadleaves, but mainly sessile oak and Corsican pine. Hazel trees provide nuts for the red squirrels that live there.

Here begins a wide, gravelled circular path, by a 'keep dogs under control' sign leading around mixed trees, a walk of about 20 mins that would be good for a winter stroll.

 But alas, no more bluebells, so I returned to the first patch and took a few more shots in the early afternoon sun.

Cherry blossom was out on the lane going back.

A trip to Wootton is not complete without a swan shot...

...and of course lunch at the Sloop Inn!