Blackcap Wood

Wood, Forest in Suffolk East Suffolk

England

Blackcap Wood

Sailors' and Fishermen's Bethel, Kessingland Credit: Adrian S Pye

Blackcap Wood is a picturesque forest located in Suffolk, England. It is nestled in the heart of the countryside, providing a tranquil escape for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Spanning approximately 100 acres, this wood is a haven for wildlife and boasts a diverse range of flora and fauna.

The wood is predominantly made up of mature oak and beech trees, which create a dense canopy that filters sunlight and casts a magical atmosphere throughout the woodland. The forest floor is covered with a carpet of vibrant bluebells in the springtime, creating a stunning display of color.

Blackcap Wood is home to a variety of wildlife species, including deer, foxes, badgers, and a wide array of bird species. It is a popular spot for birdwatching, with regular sightings of woodpeckers, owls, and various migratory birds.

For outdoor enthusiasts, there are several walking trails that wind their way through the wood, offering visitors the chance to explore and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the surroundings. These paths vary in length and difficulty, catering to both casual strollers and more adventurous hikers.

The wood is well-maintained, with designated picnic areas and benches scattered throughout, allowing visitors to take a break and enjoy a packed lunch amidst the serene surroundings. Additionally, there are information boards at various points, providing educational insights into the history and ecology of the wood.

Overall, Blackcap Wood is a hidden gem in Suffolk, offering a peaceful and enchanting experience for those seeking solace in nature.

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Blackcap Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.410314/1.699987 or Grid Reference TM5185. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Sailors' and Fishermen's Bethel, Kessingland

Adrian S Pye

A short example of a crinkle-crankle wall

At the entrance to Africa Live

Adrian S Pye

Serpentine wall at Heritage Green, Kessingland

A new wall on a new housing estate

Adrian S Pye

A serpentine wall in Kessingland

The wall has left room for a small tree in its concave section.

Adrian S Pye

Serpentine wall in Kessingland

A serpentine or crinkle-crankle wall was initially designed to save bricks and reduce to cost of building walls. Suffolk seems to be the historical birthplace of the metamorphic remodelling of the straightforward into the curiously peculiar. A wavy wall can be built with the thickness of a single brick and is self supporting even in very strong winds whereas a straight wall requires a thickness of at least two bricks (9 inches) and even buttresses if raised over about three feet. Wikipedia has a few words to add: A crinkle crankle wall, also known as a crinkum crankum, slangenmuur (snake-wall) sinusoidal, serpentine, ribbon or wavy wall, is an unusual type of structural or garden wall built in a serpentine shape with alternating curves, originally used in Ancient Egypt, but also typically found in Suffolk in England. The alternate convex and concave curves in the wall provide stability and help it to resist lateral forces, leading to greater strength than a straight wall of the same thickness of bricks without the need for buttresses. The phrase "crinkle crankle" is an ablaut reduplication, defined as something with bends and turns, first attested in 1598 (though "crinkle" and "crankle" have somewhat longer histories).

Adrian S Pye