Distance: 3 miles (plenty of route options for a longer walk)
Parking: on the side of Lees road there is a space for about 5 cars. There are a few other pull in places along the same road.
Family Friendly: Yes
Pushchair/ wheelchair access: No
Facilities: No
I really enjoyed this walk, it was not too long or too short, but there are plenty of paths so extending your walk is easy. There is so much here to see it is hard to take it all in, so this is certainly one I will be doing again. From Lees Road, follow the wayward marker for the start of the walk which takes you between some large stones. This is a lovely wooded part of the walk and is just stunning.
From here it really is as simple as following the path, there are a few paths off, but they all seems to lead to the same place at some point.
I do not know the history of the place, but it was fascinating to come across this amazing structure just in the woods! We had a good explore of it and the kids loved it!
There are often piles of stones, ruins or large carved wheels as you walk through the woodland. It was really good to imagine what the place would have been like before, and how the place has changed over time since it was last used.
There is a lovely stream you come too with fresh looking water. The ground looks like a good peak soil too. I think this has helped with the rich biodiversity.
When you come out of the woods the nine ladies stones will be on your right in a grassy area. There is a sign here giving the history of the stones, which was really interesting.
From here there are 3 different ways to go, they all seem to take you off and lead you back down one of the other paths, so here you can make the walk what you want. There is a gorgeous heath to explore, more woods or open grassland. It was lovely to see so many different biomes in one small area. Each with its own biodiversity, so there is absolutely something for everyone.
We stopped for a picnic and explored the heathland, here is what we found
Germander Speedwell – Veronica chamaedrys
This is a gorgeous member of the plantain family. It has tiny purple or blue flowers, it is zygomorphic with veins visible on the petals. It has 4 petals, one large petal on the top, and 3 smaller petals below. There are 2 clear stamen protruding. The stem has downy hairs. The leaves look almost nettle like, arranged in opposite pairs of light green toothed leaves with clear ridges.
Celandine Poppy – Stylophorum diphyllum
This lovely poppy is a member of the Papaveraceae family. This is a tall poppy with a delicate stem. The head is large with 4 wide and overlapping yellow petals. The head has a full ring of stamen and the pistil is visible in the centre. The leaves are pinnate and deeply divided, with a toothed edge. It looks almost like 3 leaflets on each stem.
I am not too sure what this cute little guy is, but when I find out I will let you know!
Little Robert – Geranium purpureum
A smaller variety of Herb Robert, a member of the geranium family. A lovely little pink flower, with 5 petals which is smaller than the herb Robert and has visible yellow antlers. The stem and leaves have hairs, the ones of the leaves can be felt more than seen. The leaves are palmate to the base with 5 leaflets all lobed and rounded tips.
Lesser Stitchwort – Stellaria gaminea
This is a member of the campion family. This plant is quiet tall with delicate looking stems. The flower head has 5 deeply divided white petals. The petals have translucent veins from the base. The antlers on the stamen are yellow and visible. The leaves are almost grass like, in an opposite position.
Rose Campion – Lychnis coronaria
This is another member of the campion family. The pink is a hybrid variety and appears to be more common, the main difference is the white downy hairs visible on the stem and calyx of the flower. The calyx is long and toothed, with the pink petals protruding and fanning out. There are 5 deeply divided pink petals. The leaves are opposite pairs, are rounded with a pointed tip. The ridges are deep.
Beech Tree – Fagus sylvatica
What a gorgeous example of this stunning tree. I loved the low lying branches and twisted trunk. This is a member of the Fagaceae family. The leaves are oval in shape with a point to the tip. They are slightly furry with fine hairs. The top of the leave looks waxy and the ridges are very deep. The edges are lightly toothed and in the opposite position.
Hoof Fungus – Fomes fomentarius
Looking for fungi has to be one of my favourite things to do, and this is one more checked off the to see list! This is a large fungus that looks like a half bell, or hoof – hence the name! It is a bracket fungus. Normally an off white/ grey on the top. The underside is off white too and has pores. The spores are a light yellow colour.
Alfred’s Cake Fungi – Daldinia concentrica
If I am right, this is a fresh Alfred’s cake fungi. Alfred’s cake is usually a dark black mound found on hard wood, when in this state it can be used as kindling for a fire. This one however; is hard to touch but has a rubbery feel to the flesh on the outside. It is grey in colour and did not ‘pop’ when it was touched, which would happen if it was a puffball. As we are early in the mushroom season, I will assume this was a young Alfred’s cake.
Striped Millipede – Ommatoiulus sabulosus
Thanks to https://www.naturespot.org.uk for help with this one! According to the site, this is one of the UKs largest millipedes and can be easily identified by the mostly black colouration and the gold/ orange stripes down the lateral edge. There were many of these little critters in the heathland on this walk, so have a look out for them yourself!
Green Tiger Beetle – Cicindela campestris
Massive thank you to https://www.ukbeetles.co.uk/cicindela-campestris for the detail on this beetle. I am currently not looking at invertebrates too much, as there are so many other species for me to concentrate on. But I am glad I could name him. According to the site, the populations are bouncing back after a difficult time due to habitat loss and damage, so I am pleased I found him! They eat other insects like ants and keep their larvae in burrows. This deep green colouration and the 5 black and white spots/ markings on the elytra are the distinguishing features.
Pepper Moth Caterpillar – Biston betularia
I believe this is the caterpillar for the peppered moth. It looks just like a twig and is so well camouflaged I only saw this one because it was hanging from a tree! A small brown caterpillar, but from what I have read, all depending on the tree colour the caterpillar can be more on the white side or even slightly green. This mimics a stick on a tree to save it from predation.
Here are some extra photos from the walk
