Burnt Firs

Wood, Forest in Warwickshire Warwick

England

Burnt Firs

HS2 construction near Leamington Spa: aerial 2021 (2) Credit: Chris

Burnt Firs is a dense wood located in the county of Warwickshire, England. Situated in the heart of the region, this forested area covers an estimated land area of several square kilometers. The wood derives its name from the presence of burnt tree stumps that were left after a devastating fire that occurred many years ago.

The landscape of Burnt Firs is characterized by a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees, creating a diverse and visually appealing environment. Towering oak, beech, and birch trees dominate the wood, intermingled with spruce and pine trees. This variety of tree species provides a rich habitat for numerous wildlife species, including deer, foxes, badgers, and a wide array of bird species.

The forest floor of Burnt Firs is covered with a thick layer of mosses, ferns, and various wildflowers, adding to the natural beauty of the area. Numerous walking trails wind through the wood, offering visitors the opportunity to explore its enchanting scenery and discover its hidden treasures. These trails are well-maintained and suitable for visitors of all ages and fitness levels.

Burnt Firs is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and photographers, who are drawn to its peaceful atmosphere and stunning vistas. The wood also serves as a valuable educational resource, as it provides a hands-on learning experience for students studying ecology and forestry.

Overall, Burnt Firs in Warwickshire offers a captivating and biodiverse woodland experience, making it a cherished natural gem in the heart of England.

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Burnt Firs Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.284002/-1.4519687 or Grid Reference SP3765. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

HS2 construction near Leamington Spa: aerial 2021 (2)

Chris

Nursery near Leamington Spa: aerial 2021 (1)

Blackdown Growers.

Chris

Nursery near Leamington Spa: aerial 2021 (2)

Blackdown Growers.

Chris

HS2 construction near Leamington Spa: aerial 2021 (3)

Chris

HS2 construction near Leamington Spa: aerial 2021 (4)

Chris

HS2 enabling works, Welsh Road area, September 2021 (9)

Like something from the Australian outback a mound of red spoil contrasts with white structures on the Welsh Road site SP3863 : HS2 enabling works, Welsh Road area, April 2021 (2).

Robin Stott

HS2 enabling works, Welsh Road area, September 2021 (10)

The few properties along Ridgeway Lane have gained improved access and greater prominence – but also, it may be imagined, the disturbance of heavy traffic on the haul road.

Robin Stott

HS2 enabling works, Welsh Road area, September 2021 (11)

Farming continues beside the haul road.

Robin Stott

HS2 enabling works, Welsh Road area, September 2021 (12)

Shiny new power supply boxes sit beside Ridgeway Lane. From Western Power Distribution, the larger one is identified as 'Longhole Bridge Padmount 939729'. Ridgeway Lane is shown on the 2015 OS Explorer map as 'Other route with public access'. Most of it has been widened and surfaced with stone to serve as a haul road to and from the big HS2 contractor's compound off Welsh Road, avoiding a crossing of the Grand Union Canal SP3863 : HS2 enabling works, Welsh Road area, September 2021 (29). The unaltered stretch crosses the canal at Longhole Bridge SP3863 : HS2 enabling works, Welsh Road area, April 2021 (14). Haul wagons join A425 through Ufton village.

Robin Stott

HS2 enabling works, Welsh Road area, September 2021 (13)

A crop within a crop: farming continues by Ridgeway Lane. A new hedge has been planted – presumably a piece of HS2 largesse.

Robin Stott

HS2 enabling works, Welsh Road area, September 2021 (15)

Ridgeway Lane before HS2, looking north from near the haul road behind the camera: SP3863 : HS2 enabling works, Welsh Road area, September 2021 (14). The lane continues to Longhole Bridge over the Grand Union Canal, then on past other HS2 workings: SP3863 : HS2 enabling works, Welsh Road area, April 2021 (14). Although signed 'Pedestrian access only to Ufton' bikes and vehicles have been seen SP3863 : HS2 enabling works, Welsh Road area, April 2021 (5).

Robin Stott

HS2 enabling works, Welsh Road area, September 2021 (16)

Ridgeway Lane looking north towards Ufton. The lane is shown on OS maps as an 'other route with public access'; a waymarker at Ufton says that it's an unclassified county road which implies driveable by vehicles. The 'Road Closed' sign is a nonsense: vehicles, bikes and motorbikes continue to use it. I'm wondering if HS2 largesse has extended to resurfacing this length of Ridgeway Lane with the same crushed stone as the haul road.

Robin Stott

HS2 enabling works, Welsh Road area, September 2021 (17)

On the approach to Longhole Bridge a 'Weak Bridge / 3T' sign confirms that, despite being a rough old unclassified county road, Ridgeway Lane is open to vehicles. HS2-related signs say 'Road Closed' but these have been ignored SP3863 : HS2 enabling works, Welsh Road area, April 2021 (5). In this photo the light area, centre, is the distant scene beyond the bridge, whose summit can just be made out.

Robin Stott

HS2 enabling works, Welsh Road area, September 2021 (18)

Ridgeway Lane at its most verdant, looking south from a seated position on Longhole Bridge over the Grand Union Canal. Walkers and cyclists passed through. It's not a peaceful spot: there is a constant sound of machines moving earth around for HS2 not far away on both sides of the canal.

Robin Stott

HS2 enabling works, Welsh Road area, September 2021 (19)

This view from Longhole Bridge may be compared with SP3864 : HS2 enabling works, Welsh Road area, April 2021 (9) taken in April 2021. Here an embankment is being formed that will carry the railway from the right across the Welsh Road valley to the cutting being formed through the distant ridge towards its encounter with the Fosse Way. On the plans Link

this is the area between kilometre 130+000 and 131+000. Although Welsh Road Farm is shown on the plans it cannot be seen in these photos.

Robin Stott

HS2 enabling works, Welsh Road area, September 2021 (20)

Seen from Ridgeway Lane north of the canal, an embankment is being formed, left, that will carry the railway across the Welsh Road valley to the cutting being formed through the distant ridge.

Robin Stott

HS2 enabling works, Welsh Road area, September 2021 (21)

After the easy walking of the haul road and the original lane south of the canal, this coarse broken stone north of the canal was slow going and angering – as though to deter or distract from the HS2 site to the left.

Robin Stott