Leighs Wood Nature Reserve
Leigh's Wood is a woodland of mainly birch and oak, 6.5km (4 miles) north east of Walsall town centre. Around 5 hectares (12 acres) in size, it’s home to a wide variety of birds, plants and insects. Leigh’s Wood also has a pond where you’ll find even more wildlife.
This leaflet and nature trail were designed and produced with the help of local residents and pupils from Queen Mary's High School.
History
Leigh's Wood is believed to be an ancient woodland site, dating back to the 12th century. Then it would have formed the southern boundary of the Royal Hunting Forest of Cannock.
Whilst woodland has been on this site for centuries, the majority of trees you'll find now are around 100 years old. The current tree species, however, are probably very similar to those that have been here for centuries, in particular the birch and oak. Alder trees are now very few in number, but this hasn’t always been the case. The place name Aldridge is believed to mean Alder Village and be derived from the Anglo-Saxon name Alrewic. Mentioned in the Domesday Book, this medieval settlement was once surrounded by great alder groves.
A rich seed bank within the soil has enabled a wide variety of plants to remain in the wood, a notable one is the bluebell, which is a sign of an ancient woodland.
Industrial History of Aldridge
Clay and coal, coupled with a good transport network, led to industrial development and the expansion of Aldridge. Brick works were built to exploit the area's valuable marl clays, such as Etruria - used to make Staffordshire Blue Bricks. The main coal pits were sunk in the 1870s and provided a major source of employment, although wages were so poor that the miners knick-named one of these pits Drybread, whilst another was called Drybones.
By the 1880s, it was possible to transport products by rail as well as canal (roads existed in the area, but Northgate wasn't cut until about1955). By the 1930s, however, coal resources were exhausted and the mines closed, but brick production remained and has continued in Aldridge through to the present day.
Interestingly, in the 1940s, a chimney at the Aldridge Brick, Tile and Coal Company was demolished when it was believed that German bombers were using it as a navigation aid.
How to find Leigh’s Wood
By car
There is no designated car park. If visiting by car, please park safely and courteously.
By bus
Details on Centro Hotline 0121 200 2700.