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Sewerby Parks and Gardens

Woodland Walk

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Introduction
Directions to Woodland Walk
What to Look Out For

Introduction

Take a peek at Sewerby’s woodland inhabitants by following the Woodland Trail. The 20-minute route contains a few gentle slopes and some steps, but there are plenty of seats to rest and observe nature at work on the way around. And once you get engrossed in watching the activities of this delightful dell you might stay here for much longer!

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Directions to Woodland Walk

From the main entrance of the car park turn left, walking through the car park until you reach the golf course kiosk. Cross the road (High Sewerby Road) and you will see Leys House to your left. Keep walking past Leys House and turn left into the woodland where you will see the beginning of the Woodland Walk. Take a look at our map (364kb) for futher information.

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Sycamore LeavesOpens in pop up windowSycamore Leaves

What to Look Out For

Trees

Sycamore trees are famous for their winged seeds, which some people call 'locks and keys'. Although commonly thought of as a typical British tree, in fact the Sycamore comes from central Europe and was probably introduced to Britain in the fifteenth or sixteenth centuries. The aphids which live on the sycamore are a good source of food for birds.

Ash LeavesOpens in pop up windowAsh Leaves

The Ash tree is actually a member of the Olive family. In some places lobster pots have been made from ash twigs and even today oars for rowing boats are made from ash wood.

The Horse Chestnut tree originates from the mountains in Greece, Bulgaria and Northern India and is believed to have been introduced to Britain in 1616. The fruits were once used by the Turks as horse-medicine, hence the tree's name. The brown nuts or 'conkers' are a tasty meal for deer.

The Elm is a native tree that was introduced by the Romans and can be identified by its large, rough, veiny leaves. British elms were devastated by Dutch Elm disease which was carried into Britain by a beetle.

Sycamore LeavesOpens in pop up windowWren

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Birds

The song thrush likes to feed on berry-bearing shrubs and creatures such as slugs and snails, and it is easily identified by its speckled breast. You may also see robins and wrens here if you are quiet, but look carefully - the wren is Britain's smallest bird.

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Flowers and Plants

Springtime is the best for woodland flowers. And be warned – you might get caught by cleavers, or goosegrass, often known as 'sticky weed' – you’ll soon see why! Covered in tiny hooks, the plant sticks itself to passers-by – animal and human! Its tiny seeds are just as 'sticky' and when you brush them off later you have helped spread sticky weed to a new location.

Herb RobertOpens in pop up windowHerb Robert

Another common plant at Sewerby Woodland walk is Herb-Robert, well known for its mousy smell, This is a type of wild geranium, and its pretty pink flowers provide a display throughout the spring and summer.

Red AdmiralOpens in pop up windowRed Admiral

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Butterflies

Many of the Woodland wildflowers provide food for butterflies. One of the most impressive resident butterflies is the red admiral which may be found fluttering along the edge of the trail. These butterflies are fairly large in size and visit Britain every summer from Europe.

Painted LadyOpens in pop up windowPainted Lady

The small tortoiseshell and painted lady butterflies love the sunshine, and you’ll see them among the flowers on the edge of the trail. The painted lady is especially fond of thistles and is mostly seen in coastal areas like Sewerby.

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Small Animals

If the ground is shaking and soil is being pushed upwards don’t be alarmed, it’s probably just a mole busy searching for food. These little brown furry creatures live beneath the ground, and there are plenty of them at Sewerby!

FoxOpens in pop up windowFox

Other mammals that you may be lucky enough to see are foxes and grey squirrels, but to do so you have to be really quiet as any noise will scare them off.

Piles of logs lying on the woodland floor help to provide shelter for many small mammals and invertebrates – please don’t disturb them.

The path turns right once again and leads down to High Sewerby Road. When you reach the road turn right and follow the road, keeping an eye out for any traffic, to make your way back to the car park.

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