Archers Wood - Sawtry

Site Description

Archer’s wood is a prominent feature in the landscape, lying at the foot of a boulder clay ridge close to the fen edge of Huntingdonshire visible from the nearby A1. It is one of a cluster of ancient woodlands in this part of Cambridgeshire. The solid geology is Oxford Clay overlain by glacial till with a mixture of sand and loess in the topsoil. Both clays are calcareous, but made slightly acid by the sand and leaching. Soils are surface water gleys belonging to the Hanslope Series. These are ill drained and suffer from poaching from even moderate use in wet periods.

Historically Archers Wood was managed as coppice with standards until the beginning of the 20th century, There are extensive earthworks from a 14th century abbey underneath compartment 2. The rest of the earth works were in the adjacent field, however they were flattened in the early 1980's

A semi-natural ancient woodland which was partly clear-felled due to concern over elm disease prior to Trust acquisition, the wood is a wet Ash/Field maple and Pedunculate oak/Hazel type (NVC type W8). Several Wild Service trees are dotted throughout the wood. Pendulous sedge, Dog’s mercury and Bluebell dominate the ground flora with ancient woodland indicators such as Stinking iris and Early purple orchid also mentioned in the records. The Elm area compartment 4 had been planted up with broad-leaved trees but Elm is also regenerating successfully, but still succumbing to Dutch Elm Disease

Since in Trust ownership small areas of the wood have been re-coppiced. But a large Muntjac deer population in the wood has caused concern. It is thought that browsing activity has affected tree regeneration and ground flora make up. Efforts to control the deer population continue with regard to annual reports on deer activity

An extensive path and ride system allows good access to all of the four woodland compartments, however in cpt 2 the path crosses the manorial earthworks and can be difficult due to slopes. Several of the paths were created following Trust purchase of the wood. One ride is thought to be of older origin and has the remnants of a good flora still. Rides are mown annually for access.

Much of the site is well used by the public, as access is easy for those travelling by car, however parking is limited.