Gaer Fawr Wood - Guilsfield

Site Description

Gaer Fawr occupies a prominent hill approximately 1km north of Guilsfield (Cegidfa) near Welshpool. The flanks of the hill support semi-natural woodland, most of which is ancient, with a diverse species composition including areas dominated by sessile oak coppice, areas dominated by ash and sycamore and small patches of wet woodland with frequent alder.

An impressive Iron Age hill fort known as Gaer Fawr Camp (a Scheduled Ancient Monument) occupies the summit of the hill with clearly visible ramparts enclosing a flat camp area with two entrances. Here there are areas of non-woodland habitat (grassland, bracken and scrub) and relatively open woodland dominated by mature broadleaved trees with patches of dense younger self-sown trees.

A previously cultivated area occurs to the south of the hill fort. This area currently supports bracken with scattered scrub and trees.

The woodland is partly enclosed by historic boundary hedgerows, a section of which has been restored by the Woodland Trust.

Despite its relatively remote location, the site is particularly popular with the local public due in part to its prominence in the local landscape and also because of its high intrinsic appeal, especially during the spring when carpets of bluebells can be found. The site is included in the Woodland Trust’s 'Wild About Woods' initiative, and, in addition to a network of permissive paths, various facilities have been provided including an information board, a series of seats (some commissioned by local artists), waymarking and a small parking area.

Key features at the site are:

· the diverse semi-natural ancient woodland with several National Vegetation Classification (NVC) woodland communities present (W7, W8, W10, W11 and W16) representing significant areas of upland oakwood, with lesser areas of upland mixed ashwood and wet woodland habitats;

· the prominent hill fort which is a designated Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM);

· the historic woodland boundary hedgerow;

· public access and the intrinsic appeal of the site with locally abundant bluebells, winter views from the hill summit, a variety of habitats including open areas and significant historical features.

Other features of note include the prominence of the woodland in the local landscape which occupies the highest land in the area, the presence of badger setts and a regular owl roost.