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24 September 2014

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NATURE

You are in: Southampton > Nature > Walks > Netley Shoreline > Stage 8

English woods

Stage 8
Wooded wonderland
Proceed past the chapel until the path turns left. Follow this path behind the miniature railway through the native woodland area.

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Or you can choose to extend your walk at this point by turning right back onto the beach and walking to Hamble Common.

Look around at the different species of tree - and if it's springtime, enjoy the carpet of bluebells. Britain is unique in Europe for its large old trees and for its bluebell woods. Woodland covered most of Britain until stone age and iron age man started to cut it to use the land for farming.

Turkey Oak

The strong English oak was very important for ship building - a major industry in the Solent area.

In Tudor times, Henry VIII made a law to protect the slow growing big trees from being cut down just in case he needed them in times of war. Local people used to farm the woodland for coppice products like broom handles, hurdle fences, spars and charcoal and weren't keen on the large shady oak trees as they reduced the yield of their hazel coups. His flagship, Mary Rose which sank in the Solent was made of English Oak.

Turkey Oak was introduced to this country as people thought it would be a fast growing alternative to English Oak, but its thin fibres mean it is not as strong, doesn't burn as well and our native insects don't like it very much.

Our wildlife has changed over the years as well - bear, wolf, beaver were all hunted to extinction. The grey squirrel, which was introduced from North America in the 19th Century has replaced our native red, except for isolated regions like the Isle of Wight. Alien species such as rhododendron and Japanese knotweed are spreading to the detriment of our native wildlife.

Follow this path until you pass the miniature railway engine shed and head towards the Sensory Garden and tea rooms which concludes your Walk through Time.

BBC Radio Solent is hosting a special guided walk on October 16th along Netley Shoreline - apply for tickets online now.

If you would like to go on more walks to discover more about Hampshire's natural history, Hampshire County Council's Countryside Service website. Or visit our Natural History Events page for more chances to get out and about.

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