The 800 Wood was planted on former arable land owned by the University of Cambridge near Madingley village to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the University. The 10 hectares of new native woodland has been planted to join up with Madingley Wood, an ancient woodland designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. With over 15,000 trees planted, it is the largest planting project ever undertaken by the University.
Britain is one of the least wooded countries in Europe, with 2.7 million hectares covering 11% of the land area, while Cambridgeshire is one of the least wooded areas in the UK. Using grants from the Forestry Commission and the SITA Trust, 800 Wood has been planted with a variety of native tree species such as ash, oak and hazel, to reflect Madingley Wood SSSI.
Madingley Wood is an ancient woodland and one of the longest-studied ancient woods in Europe, with research records going back over 350 years. It is closed to members of the public but is used by University departments for specialist woodland research. 800 Wood is open to the public, however.
A woodland path in the shape of a figure of eight runs through the new wood and the woodland has been designed to retain views east across to Ely as the trees mature.
The cache has been placed very close to one of the entrances to the wood where cycle parking faciities are available.
Note that the cache is reached from the road and not from the wood or the cycle park.
Congratulations to jollyquest on the FTF!