Borsdane Wood, Ancient woodland and nature reserve in Wigan and Westhoughton, England
Borsdane Wood is a 34-hectare woodland containing mixed broadleaf trees including oak, ash, birch, cherry, hazel, hawthorn, blackthorn, and dog rose. A stream runs through the forest, with several access points connected by main footpaths.
The woodland was part of Hindley Hall Estate until 1931, when R.D.Leigh Pemberton donated around 11 hectares to local councils for public use. This gift established the woodland as a protected space that survives to this day.
The name Borsdane may derive from a family surname, though locals often link it to a large prehistoric mound they call 'The Boars Den'. This connection to the land's past shapes how people talk about the woodland today.
The woodland can be entered from several points, including through Raynor Park, a cemetery, and a railway tunnel route. Wear sturdy footwear, as the ground becomes muddy and slippery, especially after rain.
The woodland is home to around 36 mammal species and over 170 bird species, including badgers, brown hares, barn owls, and arctic terns. This unusual mix of wildlife makes it an important refuge for rare species in the region.
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