Siccaridge is a wonderful example of an ancient coppiced woodland, a joy at any time of year, but in spring boasts carpets of bluebells.

Details from Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust

The wood is in the Frome Valley and is about half a mile west of Sapperton. It is adjacent to the Sapperton Valley and Daneway Banks nature reserves. This is semi-natural ancient woodland has been managed as coppice for hundreds of years and is situated next to the Thames and Severn Canal. Access to the reserve is either from the canal towpath or from the road to Daneway and Tunley.

The wood includes ash, silver birch and beech and there is a glade noted for its lily-of-the-valley. Uncommon species found in Siccaridge Wood include angular Solomon’s-seal, herb Paris and bird’s nest orchid. Bluebells carpet the woodland floor in spring. The reserve is part of the National Dormouse Monitoring Scheme, where monitoring takes place monthly. There are also huge wood ant nests throughout the woodland floor and the open rides attract silver washed fritillary and comma butterflies.

Historical records have been traced to the mid 16th century (1576). At that time it was called Sickeridge Coppice and it belonged to the lord of the manor (being Bisley). The name Siccaridge comes from the old English sicor hyreg which means 'secure, safe ridge'. The Bathhurst Estate acquired the wood in 1861. Siccaridge Wood is part of the Golden Valley Wildlife Way, which includes Strawberry Banks, Daneway Banks and Three Groves Wood nature reserves.

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