Pewit Woodland
A Haven For Wildlife
Pewit Woodland is a one-hectare piece of native woodland just off the Ridgeway, managed by Sustainable Wantage on behalf of the Woodland Trust. Our goal is simple: to maintain this beautiful space as a rich habitat for wildlife while maintaining accessibility for the community.
We manage the woodland according to Woodland Trust principles:
Native species only
No artificial herbicides or pesticides
Public access retained
Habitat enhancement for biodiversity
Since taking on stewardship in 2013, we’ve worked to create a healthy, open woodland where trees, plants, and wildlife can thrive.
A Woodland With History
Originally planted as a beech woodland in the mid-1800s, Pewit still boasts some magnificent mature trees. Around the year 2000, it was replanted with a mix of native hardwoods, including Ash, Sycamore, Cherry, and Beech.
Our first task was to thin overcrowded areas, allowing light to reach the woodland floor. Logs from thinning were used as sustainable fuel, with branches left as habitat for insects and small animals. Today, the woodland is more open, healthier, and home to a growing diversity of species.
Wildlife At Pewit
We’ve installed nesting boxes for birds and bats, including:
10 tit boxes
2 Barn Owl boxes
1 Tawny Owl box
Several bat shelters
Fallow deer and even Muntjac visit for shelter, and the open canopy encourages the growth of ground flora. We continue to manage nettle growth in well-used areas to maintain a welcoming woodland environment for visitors.
When visiting you can help protect Pewit Woodland by:
Taking your litter home
Keeping dogs close and taking dog mess home
Leaving sleepovers for the wildlife
Together, we can help Pewit Woodland thrive for the benefit of wildlife and the community.