Oakdene Wood
Small area of oak woodland within Rowner, Gosport
About the site
This wood in Bridgemary, Gosport is sandwiched between Tichborne Way, a disused railway line and a local housing estate. It is a fragment of semi-ancient natural woodland with some ancient woodland elements. Oakdene Woods is now a copse of around 1 ha, but used to be larger in the 18th century. It is a small urban woodland but it is important in terms of the local landscape character, as a wildlife habitat and as a public recreation facility.
Address
Bridgemary
The woodland has large oak trees with a shrub layer of hawthorn and hazel. Bramble and honeysuckle are also present. Spring is the best time of year to visit with good displays of lesser celandines and bluebells.
Most of the common woodland bird species can be found including nuthatch and great spotted woodpecker. Mammals at Oakdene Woods include protected species e.g. pippistrelle bats and badgers. A bank runs along the east side of the woodland that contains flora that suggests it is an old historical wood bank rather than a part of the disused railway.
Contact us
South Area Office, Ranger Depot, Pylands Lane, Southampton SO31 1BH
Phone 023 8040 2534
