Gamsey Wood, Nature reserve near Ramsey, England
Gamsey Wood is a nature reserve of about 4 hectares where clay uplands meet the Fenland Basin, creating dense woodland with seasonal wildflowers throughout the year. Multiple trails wind through the forest, allowing visitors to explore different sections of this protected land.
During Saxon times, this wood formed part of a larger ancient forest that included Lady's Wood and Raveley Wood across the Cambridgeshire region. These woodlands have shaped the local landscape for thousands of years.
Local wild service trees once produced berries that residents fermented into a drink called chequers, reflecting how people have used this woodland for food and drink over time.
Access to the reserve begins from Raveley Road, following a grass track about 150 meters through Keeler farm to the northeast entrance. Wearing sturdy footwear is advisable, as the ground conditions can vary depending on recent weather.
The reserve is home to white-letter hairstreak butterflies and white-spotted pinion moths that depend entirely on elm trees for their survival and reproduction. These insects use the elm foliage for feeding and laying eggs throughout their life cycles.
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