Laming Gap Wood

An attractive, natural feeling, broadleaf woodland with a mix of trees, including some really impressive oaks. There is also a shelter and wildlife hides.

On arriving at the ride-stop entrance at Laming Gap Wood, it is apparent that the wood has a very pleasant and varied feel about it. A path leads in from here, past a rustic bench – a great place to stop a while, and take in the surroundings. From this obvious vantage point is a view of some of the large old oak trees and glimpses down into an old quarrying area where now, mature trees grow.

Natural regeneration is colonising the woodland floor throughout the area, with the next generation of broadleaf trees thriving in patches of dappled sunlight. Small clearings can be found with woodland grasses, wild flowers, native ferns and bramble.

As well as oak and poplar trees, many useful poles of beech, willow, elm and sycamore are growing, some having been coppiced in the past; they would make a good source for craft work or firewood.  A couple of stacks of firewood are seasoning and will be left for the new owner.

Towards the southern end of the wood, quite large, straight and well-spaced Corsican pine form much of the canopy, but the wider spacing leave plenty of room plenty to let light in. As a result a pleasant understorey of sycamore and ash is developing. Much of the forest floor is quite clear, punctuated by clumps of privet, hawthorn and blackthorn.

For the length of the western boundary, a seasonal drain marks the boundary line, tending to have water in in autumn and winter. It’s quite a nice feature and a draw for wildlife, crossed by many deer trails. Ferns, including hart's tongue, are found growing on its banks along with many small willows and blackthorn bushes, plus one fairly large elm tree.

This private and tranquil wood has plenty of evidence of the resident wildlife. Game trails pass through the wood and grazed-off foliage is evident too. Two species of deer inhabit the wood, muntjac and roe. In one area some scrapes can be found.

Dead wood affords homes to insects, in turn, birds, such as woodpeckers, feed on them. Up in the varied canopy the large oaks are great habitat for butterflies and other invertebrates – the purple emperor butterfly has been sighted along the rides, close to the wood, laying its eggs on willow leaves.

The keen bird watcher may be able to identify many woodland bird species by their calls and song, which is at crescendo in late spring and early summer all around the wood. Tawny owls, wrens, blackbirds and chiffchaffs amongst the most distinctive.

Access to Laming Gap Wood is from Laming Gap Lane, via a shared stone track leading to a ride-stop with a parking space.

Beyond the ride-stop is a shared grass ride, suitable for fair weather vehicle access along the eastern side of the wood. Within the wood, access is on foot. A public bridlepath is just outside the boundary to the north of the wood.

The place-name Cotgrave seems to have been derived from the Old English personal name, Cotta with graf (Old English), grove or copse, to make 'Cotta's grove'.

The local area is known as the Vale of Belvoir, meaning ‘beautiful view’, in French. The name was used by the 11th century Norman invaders when the original Belvoir Castle was established, but the native Anglo-Saxon population was unable to pronounce such a foreign word, preferring to call it "Beaver Castle" this pronunciation is still used today. The area’s most famous produce includes Stilton cheese and Melton Mowbray pork pies, both area ideal for a picnic in the woods.

Interested in this woodland? Get in touch with us:

Contact Liz & Dan Watson on 07970 116 515 or email us at [email protected] with your details.