Glade
← Back🌳 Broadleaved woodland

Bentley Long Wood

✦ Ancient woodland19 ha

📷 David Smith · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Free entryDogs welcome19 ha

Getting here

52.01161, 1.06860

Open directionsv
Google Maps↗Driving directionsApple Maps↗Driving directionsWaze↗Live driving navigationGoogle Transit↗Bus, rail or tramApple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • ☀️June — canopy now fully closed, creating cool dappled shade even on warm days
  • 🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
  • 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat
Parking

Best for

7 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Yellowhammer, Woodpigeon, Swift +52 more · last seen 2024; Birds — Yellowhammer, Woodpigeon, Swift +52 more · last seen 2024

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Bramble, Bracken, Honeysuckle +96 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Stag Beetle, Large White, Peacock +55 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Stag Beetle, Large White, Peacock +55 more · last seen 2025

Free

Foraging

Plants — Bramble, Pedunculate Oak, Hogweed +9 more foraging species; Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Heritage

Ancient woodland — historic landscape

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

4 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Alton Water Red RouteWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Flatford and Constable Country Walk, FlatfordWalking route11.2 km

4 miles (6.4km) return from Manningtree to Flatford. Optional loop to Dedham adds another 3 miles (4.8km). Generally flat grass and gravel paths with some moderate slopes.

Named routeLength 11.2 kmDuration 03:30Round tripLocal walking route
Stour & Orwell WalkWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Gipping Valley River PathWalking route
Named route
🚴

Cycling

35 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
NCN 51Cycling route
Named routeRef 51National Cycle Network
South Suffolk Route BCycling route
Named routeRef BRegional cycle route
Alton Water LoopCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
South Suffolk Route B2Cycling route
Named routeRef B2Regional cycle route
South Suffolk Route B1Cycling route
Named routeRef B1Regional cycle route
NCN National Route 1Cycling route
Named routeRef 1National Cycle Network

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Part of a complex junction on A12 southbound in Bentley Long Wood

📷 David Smith · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Part of a complex junction on A12 southbound in Bentley Long Wood

1 / 22

Weather for this location

Next 14 days

Loading local forecast…

Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🐄Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife ParkVisitor farm4.1 km→🌱Ellenbrook Open SpaceUrban park4.4 km→💧Alton WaterReservoir4.9 km→💧Alton WaterReservoir4.9 km→🌱Stonelodge ParkUrban park4.9 km→🌱Stone Lodge ParkUrban park4.9 km→

How was your visit?

How useful was the information on this page?

id: 9884219f-7b4c-4b65-b39f-62292d26d9b7