Old Forest Road and Millennium Arboretum

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About Old Forest Road Meadow

Old Forest Road Meadows is a SANG (suitable alternative natural greenspace). Previously farmland, it is now maintained as hay meadows, cut once a year at the end of the Summer, providing excellent habitat, hunting grounds and nectar sources for local insects, small mammals and birds. It features habitat ponds, newly planted woodland, and the Emm Brook, all viewable from the natural hoggin footpath which meanders through the meadows in a circular walk.

Many bird species can be found here, including the elusive kingfisher who might be spotted darting along the brook. Blackcap, chiffchaff and whitethroat inhabit the surrounding woodland, and a solitary kestrel can be seen hovering over the meadow in its search for prey.

In mid-summer the ox-eye daisies will begin to flower and yellow flag iris can be found along the brook and ponds. The meadow contains yellow rattle, lady’s bedstraw and white clover.

About Millennium Arboretum

Millennium Arboretum, originally known as The Berkshire Arboretum Woodland, was officially opened to the public in April 1997. The Old Forest Road site was selected from several across the District and joint funded by Berkshire County Council, the Forestry Authority and Wokingham District Council.

The design originally incorporated 6,500 planted trees and scrubs, selected to exhibit the UK’s 33 native tree species, as well as 6 non-native trees like sycamore. The millennium was signified with 2 double avenues of 100 oaks, each representing 20 years.

The Arboretum was divided in two when the new North Wokingham Distributor Road (Toutley Road) was constructed in 2022, and the site now joins onto the Old Forest Meadows SANG on the north side of the road.

Parking facilities

There are no parking facilities at Old Forest Road Meadows. Access is from Old Forest Road, Wokingham.

Accessibility

The footpaths at Old Forest Road are all rough hard-surfaced. The site is relatively flat, with only one or two gentle inclines. Therefore, the site is accessible for wheelchair users with sturdy chairs.

Millennium Arboretum, originally known as The Berkshire Arboretum Woodland, was officially opened to the public in April 1997. The Old Forest Road site was selected from several across the District and joint funded by Berkshire County Council, the Forestry Authority and Wokingham District Council.

The design originally incorporated 6,500 planted trees and scrubs, selected to exhibit the UK’s 33 native tree species, as well as 6 non-native trees like sycamore. The millennium was signified with 2 double avenues of 100 oaks, each representing 20 years.

The Arboretum was divided in two when the new North Wokingham Distributor Road (Toutley Road) was constructed in 2022, and the site now joins onto the Old Forest Meadows SANG on the north side of the road.

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