The first steps to restoring Bisham Woods have been taken after a “generous” donation of more than £23,000.

The Woodland Trust has started work on the woods, which lie between Bisham Abbey and Cookham Dean, after being given £23,107 from the Veolia Environmental Trust through the Landfill Communities Fund.

The first half of the work on the ancient woodland and site of special scientific interest (SSSI) focused on removing non-native conifers from the woodland in a bid to help other plants thrive.

The woods boast a range of flowers and plants including orchids, primrose, wild strawberry, and bluebells, but the conifers have created a thick canopy that has prevented them from getting any light.  

The second half of the work is focussed on removing rhododendron from around a pond that was once the site of Bisham Quarry.

By allowing more sunlight to reach the water, oxygenising plants will grow and improve the water quality – and hopefully encourage wildlife such as the great crested newt to move in.  

Mark Franklin, site manager at the Woodland Trust said: “Funding from The Veolia Environmental Trust has meant that we’ve been able to undertake a significant restoration programme at Bisham Woods. 

“As we’ll be welcoming more native flora and fauna, we hope that this will also make the woods more vibrant and interesting for local visitors.”

Bisham Woods is a 383 acre ancient woodland that is believed to be at least 500 years old. It has a colourful history which includes once being owned by the Knights Templars of Bisham Abbey, and is still home to various archaeological features such as an ice house constructed in the 1760s.

Executive director of The Veolia Environmental Trust, Paul Taylor, added: “It is great to hear that this important restoration project is now complete.

"It has given the woods a new lease of life and I look forward to hearing about how they are thriving in the future.”

The Woodland Trust owns and manages more than 1,000 woods across the UK, covering over 22,500 hectares.