Staverton Thicks - glorious oaks and holly

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At the Butley end of Rendlesham Forest, is an area called Staverton Park, and it was to there that we travelled for a Photographic Workshop with Gill Moon.This woodland area has been claimed as an ancient ‘wildwood’, but it is thought to actually be an overgrown medieval deer park and all the ancient oaks are pollards (some over 400 years old). A park is recorded here in the 1260s, and may have been made from an existing wood – one is mentioned in Domesday Book. In 1528 Mary Tudor, Dowager Queen of France (sister of King Henry VIII) and her husband Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, hunted foxes here and ‘took their dinner under the oaks, with delightful entertainment and games’.
According to legend, it was amongst the young oaks of Staverton Park that St Edmund was murdered by the Danes, tied naked to one of the trees and made a target for their arrows. It was also here that the last sighting of a wolf was recorded in 1150. Later it was owned by the monks of nearby Butley Priory. 


So, starting with a view of the main path through, here are a few images from this morning.


Hollowed out


The archway


BOO! - made you jump!


Framed


Dancing around the oak tree


In a tangle


Last of the ferns


Rowan tree


Totem pole

Today, this area is a Special Area of Conservation. However, most people drive by this magical place without even knowing it is there.
Although Staverton Park is now in private ownership, the part called the Thicks has a footpath running through it. I have never seen so many ancient trees, be it oaks or the amazing holly. In fact the holly trees are reputedly the largest in the UK. It's well worth a visit.




Location: Staverton Park, Woodbridge IP12 3PF, UK

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