The Holmes Parish Woodland
The Holmes Parish Woodland
The Holmes was planted in 2022 to be an accessible wood that will be rich in biodiversity. The wood sits on just over 3.5 acres of land that belongs to Bassingham Parish Council and was previously used as private grazing.
The wood itself
The 1500 trees and woody shrubs comprise 25 varieties that were chosen to create an attractive wood that would withstand the periodic flooding of the area and protect against the increasing attacks by tree diseases. The planting includes 3 species of oak, 2 each of alder, cherry and birch and 4 species of willow. Bassingham used to have a willow osier industry and The Holmes is host to cuttings from the last remaining Bassingham osiers. Woody shrubs such as dogwood, guelder rose, spindle and wayfaring trees have been planted on the edge of each coupe (area of trees) to create a gradation between ground and tree height that will attract insects and birds. A small stand of eucalyptus has been included on the south-west edge to form a wind break from the prevailing winds. Most of the trees in the wood have coloured stakes to identify the tree species. A sign with the key to this colouring can be found by the entrance to the wood. With a photo of this key on your phone, you can be a champion tree identifier!
How to find the wood
The Holmes is reached from Rinks Lane along a short length of surfaced bridleway. From the centre of Bassingham, walk or cycle out along High Street and Newark Road with the church on your right. The bridleway to the Holmes starts one field after the last house on your right.
What3Words location is: Spooked.disco.loudly
There is no car parking at The Holmes but there is cycle parking for 8 bicycles by the entrance to the wood.
Accessibility
Bassingham Parish Council is very grateful to the Community Fund for a grant to provide surfaced paths along the bridleway and within the wood. In addition to the surfaced paths, there are mown paths around the wood giving access to the benches and picnic tables.
This is a lovely village attraction, so please help us look after it by remembering:
Dogs: Please always keep your dog on a lead. Wildlife and other visitors may not appreciate your pet as much as you do. All dog waste must be collected for the health of our children, visitors and woodland maintenance volunteers. A bin has been provided.
Litter: Please take all your litter away with you as it costs the Parish Council to empty the provided bin.
Cars: Do not park any vehicles at the entrance to the bridleway as this will block access for our neighbours and maintenance vehicles from the Environment Agency.
Cycling: Cycles are encouraged on the bridleway as far as the cycle parking stands. Cycling around the wood is not permitted.
Fires: No fires or barbeques are allowed as the work of many years to establish this wood could be destroyed in seconds.
Music: Please do not play or make music without the specific consent of Bassingham Parish Council
Grassed bank: The section of flood bank that is grassed with no surfaced path is private land and not part of the Holmes wood. There is no public access to this part of the bank so please do not walk along it.