Holly Wood

Derbyshire's very own 'Hollywood'! - A pretty woodland with a fine display of springtime bluebells.

Location

Near Edlaston village

Ashbourne

Derbyshire

DE6 2DQ

OS Map Reference

SK 1740 4311

Know before you go

Size

4 hectares

Entry fee

Parking information

Park in the disused road near the A515 and follow the road towards Edlaston to reach the reserve entrance

Access

Enjoy strolling around this small reserve - please be aware that due to the woodland floor wheelchair access may be difficult.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

Spring for the bluebells

About the reserve

Visit Holly Wood in spring to enjoy the fine display of bluebells, which includes some white-flowered ones.

They flourish in the drier areas of this woodland reserve, where sycamore is gradually being replaced with oak and other native broadleaved species. Other plants that flourish here include wood sedge, while the marshy areas of woodland in the northern part of the reserve support communities of marsh marigold and opposite leaved golden saxifrage.

Although its history is unclear, it is possible that much of the reserve may have been a gravel working - this would explain the ridges that occur in the ground, as well as the areas of marsh and the pond.

Many birds breed in the woodland, including blackcap, garden warbler and nuthatch. Badgers and foxes find refuge here too - there is one large badger sett and several fox earths.