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Bisham Woods and Abbey, Berkshire
WILDLIFE
This beautiful woodland in the Berkshire countryside was the inspiration for Kenneth Grahame’s ‘The Wind in the Willows’. Located on the Chiltern Ridge, which borders the Thames, the ancient woodland is rich in wildlife and has numerous tree species including ash, wych elm and wild cherry. And yes, you’ll be able to spy plenty of Rattys, Moles and Mr Toads in their natural habitat and may even spot a muntjac deer in the ferns. While you’re in the area take a peek at Bisham Abbey, once home to Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. The magnificent building (now a sports centre and hotel) is rich with atmosphere and history: it is supposedly haunted by a former inhabitant, the steely Lady Hoby, who died in 1609 and is said to appear in the Tower Room with a white fountain flowing before her. Spooky. While you’re in the area, you could also take a walk downstream to the elegant village of Cookham,with its cosy workmen’s cottages and grand Georgian houses, where Stanley Spencer was born. The Stanley Spencer Gallery there has a small but decent collection of his works, including his unfinished masterpiece, ‘Christ Preaching’.
Further information www.wt-woods.org.uk/BishamWoods provides in-depth information with maps; For information on Bisham Abbey (www.berkshirehistory.com); The Stanley Spencer Gallery, The Kings Hall, High St, Cookham, Berkshire (01628 471 885/ www.stanleyspencer.org.uk).

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