Explore More Woodlands with BCA

Discover the beauty of Buxton’s woodlands with the Buxton Civic Association (BCA). Managing several scenic woodland areas, BCA invites visitors to enjoy the natural beauty, explore tranquil trails, and spot local wildlife – all while supporting vital our vital conservation work.

Discover BCA Woodlands

Our woodlands are perfect for walking, wildlife watching, and immersing yourself in nature. Highlights include:

  • Gadley Woods: A peaceful retreat with a stream and stepping stones
  • Sherbrook Woods: Ideal for dog-walking!
  • Corbar Woods: Known for its striking Springtime Bluebells

Each woodland offers something unique, from shaded glades to open vistas, making them must-visit things to do in the Peak District.

Walk the ‘Ring of Trees’

For a more immersive experience, take on the Ring of Trees Walk—a circular route that connects many of BCA’s woodlands around Buxton. This scenic trail provides opportunities to enjoy lush landscapes, explore heritage-rich areas, and witness the changing seasons. You can buy a copy of the route from our shop at Poole’s Cavern Visitor Centre.

Flora and Fauna

BCA’s woodlands are home to an array of wildlife, including native birds, deer, and a variety of wildflowers and fungi. Some of the key species to look out for include:

  • Marsh grass-of-Parnassus​
  • Speedwell​
  • Mosses​
  • Twayblade​
  • Orchids – Common spotted, Frog, Early purple, Fragrant​
  • Ladies mantle​
  • Guilder rose​
  • Birds-foot trefoil​
  • Harebell​
  • Herb Robert​
  • Vetch​
  • Bluebell​
  • Self-heal​
  • Cowslips​
  • Ivy ​
  • Bugle​
  • Garlic​
  • Wood anemone​
  • Wild Woodland Strawberry​
  • Wild Raspberry
  • Sorrell​
  • Yellow rattle​
  • Lesser celandine​
  • Knapweed​
  • Scabious – various​
  • Red Campion​
  • Broadleaf & Rosebay willowherb​
  • Juniper​
  • Opp. Leaved Golden Saxifrage ​
  • Butterbur​
  • Ferns ​
  • Stinging nettle​
  • Ragwort​
  • Woodavens​
  • Meadowsweet​
  • Green hellebore​
  • Woundwort​
  • Hawkweeds
  • Rabbits
  • Grey squirrels
  • Hedgehogs
  • Weasels
  • Moles
  • Wood mice
  • Bats
  • Foxes
  • Badgers
  • Roe deer
  • Nuthatch​
  • Treecreeper​
  • Tawny Owl​
  • Great Tit
  • Blue Tit
  • Coal Tit​
  • Spotted Flycatcher
  • Pied Flycatcher
  • Robin​
  • Great Spotted Woodpecker
  • Green Woodpecker​
  • Blackbird
  • Thrush​
  • Magpie​
  • Chaffinch​
  • Goldfinch​
  • Redstart
  • Buzzard​
  • Wren​
  • Woodpigeon​
  • Goldcrest​
  • Blackcap​
  • Mallard duck
  • Mandarin duck​
  • Wagtail
  • Jackdaw
  • Carrion Crow
  • Woodcock
  • Goldcrest
  • Dunnock
  • Swallow
  • Song Thrush
  • Mistle Thrush
  • Garden Warbler
  • Chiffchaff
  • Willow Warbler
  • Siskin
  • Moths​
  • Butterflies​
  • Hoverfly​
  • Ladybirds​
  • Ground beetles​
  • Bees & wasps​
  • Slugs & snail​s
  • Centipedes & millipedes
  • Woodlice​
  • Gall​
  • Shield bugs​
  • Mites​
  • Spiders- Orb weavers​
  • Frog hoppers
  • Wych elm
  • Yew
  • Beech
  • Rowan
  • Ash
  • Whitebeam
  • Holly
  • Rhododendron
  • Oak
  • Sycamore
  • Scots pine
  • Larch
  • Field maple
  • Cherry
  • Willow
  • Lime
  • Hawthorne
  • Hazel
  • Horse-chestnut​
  • Brackets – Chicken of the Woods, Artist Brackets, Turkey Tail, Dryads Saddle​
  • Lichens – Oakmoss​
  • Wax Caps​
  • Puffballs and Earthballs​
  • Polypore​
  • Stinkhorn​
  • Scarlet Elf Cup​
  • Amethyst Deceiver
  • King Alfreds Cakes​
  • Deadmans Fingers​
  • Coral Spot​
  • Candlesnuff Fungus​
  • Slime moulds – Flowers of Tan​
  • Oyster​
  • Fairy ink cap​
  • Wolfsmilk​
  • Eyelash cups​
  • Hair ice

Water Street, Sensory Garden

In 2019, thanks to the efforts of our members and volunteers, BCA transformed a previously derelict site into a tranquil Sensory Garden. The garden was designed by long-standing BCA volunteer, Diane White.

In addition to BCA’s contribution, funds were generously donated from South West Peak, The Bingham Trust, and Buxton Hall Bank Trust, with further donations from No.6 The Square Tea Rooms & Accommodation, Waitrose and Morrisons.

You can find the Sensory Garden on Water Street in Buxton, SK17 6XN.

Tree Nursery

Here at BCA, we have our very own Tree Nursery, where we plant, grow and nurture our own saplings for future planting in our woodlands. As part of our long-term woodland management plan, we collect and germinate as many seeds of native species from the local area as possible.

By growing saplings in our Tree Nursery, we contribute to the ongoing growth of our woodlands, helping to restore areas that need it and ensuring that future generations can enjoy the beauty and benefits of our green spaces in Buxton.

Conservation

Help us to conserve these special places for future generations by joining us as a member.

Your membership fee helps us to plant more trees, carry out essential tree maintenance work, maintain footpaths and create essential habitat for wildlife.