Staverton Thicks - glorious oaks and holly

At the Butley end of Rendlesham Forest, is an area called Staverton Park, and it was to there that we travelled for a Photographic Workshop with Gill Moon.This woodland area has been claimed as an ancient ‘wildwood’, but it is thought to actually be an overgrown medieval deer park and all the ancient oaks are pollards (some over 400 years old). A park is recorded here in the 1260s, and may have been made from an existing wood – one is mentioned in Domesday Book. In 1528 Mary Tudor, Dowager Queen of France (sister of King Henry VIII) and her husband Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, hunted foxes here and ‘took their dinner under the oaks, with delightful entertainment and games’.

According to legend, it was amongst the young oaks of Staverton Park that St Edmund was murdered by the Danes, tied naked to one of the trees and made a target for their arrows. It was also here that the last sighting of a wolf was recorded in 1150. Later it was owned by the monks of nearby Butley Priory. 

So, starting with a view of the main path through, here are a few images from this morning.

Hollowed out

The archway

BOO! - made you jump!

Framed

Dancing around the oak tree

In a tangle

Last of the ferns

Rowan tree

Totem pole

Today, this area is a Special Area of Conservation. However, most people drive by this magical place without even knowing it is there.

Although Staverton Park is now in private ownership, the part called the Thicks has a footpath running through it. I have never seen so many ancient trees, be it oaks or the amazing holly. In fact the holly trees are reputedly the largest in the UK. It's well worth a visit.

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Autumn comes to Rendlesham

Autumn has made its presence felt with dull, damp days, and the sun setting earlier. However there are always pluses to balance, such as the beautiful colours that we usually get on the trees and woodlands. On top of that, this is the time for most fungi to make their appearance. Here is a small offering from my camera on a recent walk around part of Rendlesham Forest. I hope I have named the fungi correctly, but please don't hesitate to correct me if I am wrong!

On a warmer day, a great spot to sit'

The sun is lighting up the bracken which is rapidly changing colour.

Tangled trees

Now for a few fungi - this one being a Cauliflower Fungus (Sparassis crispa)

Puffball fungi

Redlead Roundhead (Leratiomyces ceres)

Parasol fungi (?)

And lastly - Hairy Curtain Crust fungi

No doubt a few more visits to the woodlands are on the cards for the next month, to record this beautiful season. The only unfortunate thing about autumn? - Winter follows! 

But not to worry, perhaps we can get some snow scenes!

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