FTS Forest of Marston Vale

Forest of Marston Vale

Rectory Wood, Cranfield

Rectory Wood is 70 hectares of land, located on the slopes of the West Bedfordshire Clay Ridge, between the attractive old centre of Cranfield village and Marston Thrift, an important local area of ancient semi-natural woodland. The setting provides an attractive backdrop to the low-lying Marston Vale, and will eventually form part of the largest area of broadleaved woodland in Bedfordshire.

Formerly part of Rectory Farm, the site was purchased by the Marston Vale Trust in 2002, and is gradually being converted from arable farm land in to new native broad-leaved woodland by the Forest of Marston Vale. Two areas of the site have already been planted, and over the winter of 2007/8 ‘Phase 3’ will involve the creation of a further 20 hectares of woodland. Tree species will include oak, ash and field maple; together with shrubs such as hazel and dogwood, all of which will have been grown on from seed collected from ancient woodlands in the area, such as Marston Thrift. Once planted, the new woodland area will be open to the public for informal recreation at all times and have surfaced and mown paths, benches and picnic tables, and information signage, so visitors can make the most of the area. The Family Tree Scheme area in the wood will be marked with a small wooden post and plaque.

Access

Parking near the site or in the village is limited, but possible, and there is a small car park at Marston Thrift, off Wood Lane from which the site can be accessed. Numerous public rights of way connect to the site from Cranfield and Marston Moretaine, including National Cycle Network Route 51. The site is approximately 8km by road from the Forest Centre and Millennium Country Park.

The Forest of Marston Vale

The planting of Rectory Wood is part of the on-going creation of the Forest of Marston Vale (the forest is one of twelve ‘community forests’ established across England by government in the early 1990’s) where trees and woodlands are being used to transform 61 square miles between Bedford and Milton Keynes; within a scarred landscape undergoing major regeneration and change following decades of clay extraction, brick making and landfill. Over 1 million trees have been planted already, and by 2030 the forest will plant 5 million more, working with local people and organisations to create new woods and wild places for everyone to enjoy.

We hope you enjoy visiting the new woodland and thank you for your support in helping to create the Forest of Marston Vale. For further information about Rectory Wood and the forest contact Andrew Lingard on 01234 762617, or write to the Forest Centre, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Beds MK43 0PR. E-mail: info@marstonvale.org, or visit our website at www.marstonvale.org

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Registered Office: lnternational Tree Foundation, Sandy Lane, Crawley Down, West Sussex, RH10 4HS