Harrison’s Plantation LNR
Type : Woodland
This reserve is a fascinating woodland which links Martin’s Pond with Raleigh Pond in Wollaton. It covers 2.5 hectares and is owned by Nottingham City Council and managed under licence by the Trust.
About the Reserve
Harrison’s Plantation, together with Martin’s Pond forms an important wildlife reservoir in this part of the City. A mixed broad-leaved woodland is thought to have been present on this site since the mid 18th century. It arose by natural regeneration from a series of ‘stew ponds’ and Willow Holts associated with the medieval fishery at Martin’s Pond. Until the early 1900s the wood was connected to Long Plantation, which extended for over 1km from Lambourne Drive to what is now the City ring road. Long Plantation was later cleared to make way for housing.
The woodland is dominated by sycamore with ash, wild cherry and oak. Damper areas support mature crack willows and alders. The understorey is a sparse layer of elder, hawthorn with some regenerating cherry. The ground flora includes a number of typical woodland plants including dog’s mercury, red campion, nettle-leaved bellflower and bramble.
The eastern end of the wood surrounds Raleigh Pond, which is thought to be a former claypit. This now supports breeding mallard and Canada geese. A number of other birds can be seen in the wood including great spotted woodpecker, kingfisher, nuthatch, blackcap, redpoll and spotted flycatcher. Raleigh Pond and wet areas throughout the wood provide excellent habitats for frogs and toads.
Conservation Management
The Trust is working to reduce the dominance of sycamore and to improve the structure and diversity of the wood. A wildflower meadow has been sown adjacent to Old Coach Road and mixed hedgerows have been planted. Future management will also include the improvement of wetland habitats and the provision of educational material.
How to Get There
The reserve can be entered at several points from Lambourne Drive (SK532405) and Old Coach Road (SK531404), both off Wollaton Road (A609). It can also be approached from Martin’s Pond off Russell Avenue. A circular route can be followed along a path that runs through the site from Lambourne Drive eventually connecting with Martin’s Pond. The wood is open to the public at all times.
Further Information
If you would like further details about the reserve, or if you are interested in getting involved in the management of the site, please call the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust office on 0115 958 8242.
