Above: Entrance to the wood showing public footpath, Goat Willow and Ash with Pines beyond
(Photo © Charles Kessler)

Co-leaders: Julie Cuthbert, Charles Kessler and Mike LeRoy

Background

Duncombe Wood lies in the parish of Great Brickhill, about 1km north-west of the village (Grid Reference SP913314). Early maps show it is an ancient woodland and the presence of the so-named Park Farm just to the south of the wood suggests that it was a once a deer park. The wood is owned privately, and we arranged the visit in coordination with the owner. The wood is bisected by a public footpath that follows a track which linked Brickhill Manor to the Watling Street with gatehouses at both ends. G C Druce’s 1926 Flora of Buckinghamshire mentions Duncombe Wood and lists an interesting flora in the wood and surrounding pastures; however, the biodiversity of the wood has changed because of the reduction of systematic cropping of wood, timber and firewood, increased damage by deer and grey squirrel, and replacement of deciduous trees by conifers. Recent management has begun to reverse that.

A list of all species observed  during the visit can be found here.

Our Visit

We gathered on the north-west entrance to the wood on the old A5 where there is plenty of room for parking. The sky was dark and rain seemed imminent; however, 13 of us set off and were soon captivated by the peace of the place, the birdsong and general natural history interest.

Coppiced Hazel beside public footpath, Pine beyond  ((Photo © Charles Kessler)

The main ride public footpath is lined with Goat Willow, coppiced Hazel and some Ash. Behind these is mainly Pine although some Oak, Beech and Small-leaved Lime were also observed, as were well-weathered stumps, presumably from felling at the time of Pine planting. Most of the Pine appeared to be Corsican, although some Scots, distinguished by its reddish-coloured bark, was also present. We found ancient woodland indicator plants such as Yellow Archangel, Wood Sorrel, Wood Anemone and Bluebell.

Scots Pine (reddish bark) among Corsican Pines (Photo © Charles Kessler)

Although spring 2026 has been unusually dry, it was clear that the wood can become waterlogged in places; much sedge was present. Large amounts of moss were observed, growing on the woodland floor and on vegetation, and a range of lichens were also identified.

  
Moss: Plagiomnium affine and Alga: Trentepohlia (Photos © Jagoda Zajac)

The lichen community recorded in Duncombe Wood is broadly consistent with what is found across much of Milton Keynes, with common nitrogen‑tolerant species such as Xanthoria parietina, Physcia spp. and Parmelia sulcata well represented. Their presence reflects the typical nitrogen levels found throughout the city, where urban influence and nearby farmland contribute to moderate nutrient enrichment on tree bark.

 
Lichens: Physcia aipolia and Parmotrema perlatum  (Photos © Jagoda Zajac)

Lichen: Parmelia sulcata (Photos © Jagoda Zajac)

The most notable species in the list is Hypotrachyna afrorevoluta. Although, it does occur in Milton Keynes, it is far from widespread and tends to favour more sheltered, humid areas where nitrogen deposition is slightly lower.

We saw two small ponds surrounded by shrubs and trees. Since our visit took place in the evening, and a very dark one too, we saw very few invertebrates such as butterflies or dragonflies. A visit at another time of day would reveal what the wood has to offer in this respect.

Shaded pond beside public footpath (Photo © Charles Kessler)

Some woodland management involving thinning Pines and planting broad-leaved species has been carried out and more of this would be beneficial for biodiversity and perhaps ultimately to regain the wood’s pre-Pine planting state.

The expected rain held off and the evening brightened over this peaceful and interesting wood. Our visit was a first for the Society and all considered it worthwhile. The wood is very easy to access from Milton Keynes and parking on the side of the old A5 is convenient. A walk through the wood along its Public Right of Way could be made as part of an attractive circular walk by leaving the wood in the south-east corner and joining footpaths linking Home Farm and Rammamere Farm through pastures and back to the A5. The short stretch along the A5 back to the starting point is on a footpath behind a safety barrier.

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Thanks to Julie Cuthbert for the list of mosses and to Jagoda Zajac for the list of lichens and photographs.

Charles Kessler
25 May 2026