Management work starts to protect and enhance Prestley Wood
- 24.02.2025
The first stage of work to help protect and enhance Prestley Wood, which will form an important centrepiece of Prestley country park, is due to take place over the next couple of weeks. The work is part of a three-phase management plan on the Scheduled Monument - part of the remains of a double-moated site dating back to the 13th century - that has been developed and agreed with Historic England and Huntingdonshire District Council.
The work will include clearing undergrowth, removing damaged and diseased trees and planting new trees and shrubs to enhance the woodland. The works will enable further historical investigations to be carried out on the Scheduled Monument, which will then enable further plans to be finalised on the measures put into place to protect the earthworks and archaeological remains, and to open it up to the public to evolve the important site as part of the centrepiece of Prestley country park.
Once complete, it is hoped that paths can be more clearly put in place through Prestley Wood, with crossings over the inner and outer moat ditches and interpretation boards to help people learn more about its history.
The first phase of work, which will include clearing trees and shrubs from the central area where the manor house was, and around the moat structures so that further historical investigations can be undertaken, will take place over the next couple of weeks. Alongside that the team will look at removing the damaged and diseased trees and improving the healthier trees, with additional planting taking place later in the year to strengthen the woodland that sits around the central area.
“Prestley Wood is an important heritage asset, and we have been working with Historic England for a number of years to agree an approach that will help protect the Scheduled Monument and enhance the woodland setting. We have also worked with The Stukeleys Parish Council and heritage partners, as well as through consultation events, to ensure Prestley Wood will be an important part of the country park that will take its name."
“In time, we hope it will become a cherished space that connects people to the special history of this part of the development and the families that lived and worked here hundreds of years ago. In the meantime, we apologise for any inconvenience and ask that people follow any diversion signs around works being carried out and take care in the area.”
All of the work being carried out has been agreed with Historic England, is guided by agreed Consents to carry out work on the Scheduled Monument and has been approved by the District Council through an agreed Management Plan.
