A History and Overview of Burnham Beeches
Origins and Early History
Burnham Beeches is the remnant of a vast forest that once covered much of Buckinghamshire. Today it spans 374–540 acres depending on which boundary is referenced, and lies west of Farnham Common, close to Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead. It is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a National Nature Reserve, and a Special Area of Conservation, reflecting its national ecological importance.
Archaeological evidence shows human activity here since at least the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age, including the Seven Ways Plain hill fort, a Scheduled Monument.
During the Middle Ages, the wider forest was known as a haunt of highwaymen, and the woodland formed part of the economic and social landscape around Burnham village and its abbey.
Ownership and Preservation
Public access to the Beeches was long valued, and when the land came up for auction in 1879, it failed to sell. Philanthropist Sir Henry Peek purchased it and sold 374 acres to the City of London Corporation in 1880 to protect it from development — a pioneering act of conservation funded by duties on grain entering the Port of London.
The Corporation of London has managed the site ever since, maintaining it as an open space for public enjoyment and ecological protection. The area is now safeguarded by Green Belt legislation, preventing urban encroachment from Slough, Windsor, and Maidenhead.
Ancient Woodland and Pollarding
Burnham Beeches is internationally renowned for its ancient beech and oak pollards — trees repeatedly cut at head height to produce new growth. This traditional practice created the distinctive gnarled forms seen today.
Key facts:
- Many trees are 400+ years old, with some far older.
- The most famous, the Druid’s Oak, is estimated at 800+ years old.
- Pollarding ceased around 200 years ago, leaving many trees with heavy, fragile limbs.
- Only around 420 of the original 3,000 pollards survive, and conservation work now focuses on restoring traditional techniques and creating new pollards for future generations.
The abundance of ancient trees and deadwood supports more than 60 rare or threatened species, making the Beeches one of the richest wildlife habitats in southern England.
Landscape Features
The woodland includes:
- Natural ponds
- Wood‑pasture glades
- Ancient earthworks
- Beech avenues and heathy clearings
These features create the “fairy‑tale” atmosphere often noted by visitors, especially in autumn.
Modern Uses and Public Access
Burnham Beeches is used today for:
1. Recreation and Walking
The interior offers easy, accessible walks across 540 acres, with well‑maintained paths, picnic areas, and wildlife‑watching opportunities. - The Slough u3a Walking Group often visits Burnham Beeches
2. Conservation and Research
The site is a living laboratory for:
- ancient tree management
- habitat restoration
- species monitoring
- sustainable visitor management
Visitor numbers are now considered unsustainably high, and measures are being taken to protect sensitive habitats.
3. Filming and Media
Because of its proximity to Pinewood, Shepperton, and Bray Studios, Burnham Beeches is a major filming location. It has appeared in:
- Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
- The Crying Game
- First Knight
- Ivanhoe
- A Town Like Alice
Its varied woodland has doubled for Sherwood Forest, medieval England, Ireland, and even tropical landscapes.
Why Burnham Beeches Matters
Burnham Beeches is a rare survival: an ancient wood‑pasture landscape shaped by centuries of human use, preserved through Victorian philanthropy, and now protected as a national ecological treasure. Its combination of:
- ancient pollards
- archaeological sites
- rich biodiversity
- cultural history
- and modern conservation work
makes it one of the most significant natural heritage sites in the Thames Valley.A One‑Page History and Overview of Burnham Beeches
Origins and Early History
Burnham Beeches is the remnant of a vast forest that once covered much of Buckinghamshire. Today it spans 374–540 acres depending on which boundary is referenced, and lies west of Farnham Common, close to Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead. It is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a National Nature Reserve, and a Special Area of Conservation, reflecting its national ecological importance.
Archaeological evidence shows human activity here since at least the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age, including the Seven Ways Plain hill fort, a Scheduled Monument.
During the Middle Ages, the wider forest was known as a haunt of highwaymen, and the woodland formed part of the economic and social landscape around Burnham village and its abbey.
Ownership and Preservation
Public access to the Beeches was long valued, and when the land came up for auction in 1879, it failed to sell. Philanthropist Sir Henry Peek purchased it and sold 374 acres to the City of London Corporation in 1880 to protect it from development — a pioneering act of conservation funded by duties on grain entering the Port of London.
The Corporation of London has managed the site ever since, maintaining it as an open space for public enjoyment and ecological protection. The area is now safeguarded by Green Belt legislation, preventing urban encroachment from Slough, Windsor, and Maidenhead.
Ancient Woodland and Pollarding
Burnham Beeches is internationally renowned for its ancient beech and oak pollards — trees repeatedly cut at head height to produce new growth. This traditional practice created the distinctive gnarled forms seen today.
Key facts:
- Many trees are 400+ years old, with some far older.
- The most famous, the Druid’s Oak, is estimated at 800+ years old.
- Pollarding ceased around 200 years ago, leaving many trees with heavy, fragile limbs.
- Only around 420 of the original 3,000 pollards survive, and conservation work now focuses on restoring traditional techniques and creating new pollards for future generations.
The abundance of ancient trees and deadwood supports more than 60 rare or threatened species, making the Beeches one of the richest wildlife habitats in southern England.
Landscape Features
The woodland includes:
- Natural ponds
- Wood‑pasture glades
- Ancient earthworks
- Beech avenues and heathy clearings
These features create the “fairy‑tale” atmosphere often noted by visitors, especially in autumn.
Modern Uses and Public Access
Burnham Beeches is used today for:
1. Recreation and Walking
The interior offers easy, accessible walks across 540 acres, with well‑maintained paths, picnic areas, and wildlife‑watching opportunities. - The Slough u3a Walking Group often visits Burnham Beeches
2. Conservation and Research
The site is a living laboratory for:
- ancient tree management
- habitat restoration
- species monitoring
- sustainable visitor management
Visitor numbers are now considered unsustainably high, and measures are being taken to protect sensitive habitats.
3. Filming and Media
Because of its proximity to Pinewood, Shepperton, and Bray Studios, Burnham Beeches is a major filming location. It has appeared in:
- Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
- The Crying Game
- First Knight
- Ivanhoe
- A Town Like Alice
Its varied woodland has doubled for Sherwood Forest, medieval England, Ireland, and even tropical landscapes.
Why Burnham Beeches Matters
Burnham Beeches is a rare survival: an ancient wood‑pasture landscape shaped by centuries of human use, preserved through Victorian philanthropy, and now protected as a national ecological treasure. Its combination of:
- ancient pollards
- archaeological sites
- rich biodiversity
- cultural history
- and modern conservation work
makes it one of the most significant natural heritage sites in the Thames Valley.
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