Swinley Forest

Track through Swinley Forest

Swinley Forest is a large expanse of English Crown Estate woodland mainly within the civil parishes of Windlesham in Surrey and Winkfield and Crowthorne in Berkshire.

Coverage

Situated to the south-west of Windsor Great Park, the forest stretches from Bracknell, in the north, to Bagshot, in the south. It is owned and managed by the Crown Estate and comprises over 2,600 acres (11 km²) of woodland across gently undulating hills. Although now mostly a modern plantation of Scots Pines, the area was once part of Windsor Forest. Swinley Forest includes Crowthorne Woods around Caesar's Camp between the Nine Mile Ride and Crowthorne; Swinley Park between Forest Park and the B3017; Bagshot Heath just west of Bagshot; and Swinley Woods around Kings Ride between the B3017 and South Ascot. Much of the woods cover what used to be moorland as indicated by the names of some of the hills, such as Broadmoor, Owlsmoor, Wishmoor, Gormoor, Whitmoor and Englemoor (now Englemere).

History

Swinley Park once surrounded Swinley Lodge where the King kept the Royal Staghounds in Georgian times. It was at the centre of Swinley Walke, one of the sub-divisions of Windsor Forest.

In 2007, a "Go-Ape" facility was opened to the public.

In late July 2009 a scene was shot in Swinley Forest for the worldwide blockbuster Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1. The scene saw Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) being chased by Voldemort's bounty hunters - the Snatchers. The day before filming many members of the production team had planned a specific route for the actors to run through, as many special effects were in the scene and the materials used to help create these had to be set up prior to filming.

In May 2011 forest fires broke out throughout the forest, the cause is believed to be a mixture of the ongoing heat and arson. The fires affected only a small proportion of the woodland. Many of the pictures can be viewed via Google Images.

Leisure and attractions

Mountain biking

The woods provide some of the best mountain biking^[1] in South-East England, with many off-road 'single-track' trails available as well as plenty of fire roads. Mountain biking is permitted with a permit, but walking is free. Swinley Woods was originally submitted as the proposed venue for the mountain biking event of the 2012 Summer Olympics, however, the distance from the main Olympic Park was considered too great and the event is now take to place at Hadleigh Farm near Hadleigh, Essex.

Visitor centre

At Gormoor on the Nine Mile Ride, on the northern edge of Crowthorne Woods, is The Look Out Discovery Centre, operated by Bracknell Forest Borough Council. This is a hands-on science exhibition and nature discovery centre, which also acts as a visitor centre for the forest, providing maps, car parking and bike hire. Most of the self-guided walks and bike trails start and end at the centre.

Caesar's Camp

Adjoining the Look Out is an Iron Age hill fort known as Caesar's Camp. It is the only one in East Berkshire. It has not been excavated but Iron Age coins have been found there. The name only dates from the 18th century.

Site of Special Scientific Interest

Swinley Park and its Brick Pits is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and has protected areas for the birds that live there.

References

1. ^ Gorrick.com

External links

• Mountain Bike Tracks at Swinley Forest
• Royal Berkshire History: Swinley
• Royal Berkshire History: Caesar's Camp
• The Look Out Discovery Centre
• Bracknell Forest Borough Unitary Authority

Coordinates: 51°22′N 0°44′W / 51.367°N 0.733°W / 51.367; -0.733