Alder Coppice Local Nature Reserve

Alder Coppice Local Nature Reserve is 25 acres of ancient woodland situated between Northway and Pennwood Farm in Sedgley. Access is via Northway (postcode DY3 3RL) or by Swallowfields Road (DY3 3TR). Within the woodland there are three way marked pathways, yellow, red and blue. These are short, medium and long respectively.

The paths are mostly wood chipped and well maintained. All routes can be accessed by motability scooter although the going is a little rough in places but much of the woodland is accessible to those with mobility problems. There are numerous other paths to explore as well. Seats are dotted about the wood in the form of upturned tree trunks and benches and it’s well worth spending time in this wonderful habitat. The woodland has numerous birds and is well stocked with both type of woodpecker. Muntjack and Roe deer also visit along with the usual fox and badger population. If wild flowers are your thing there are many types to see and the wood is also well stocked with fungi which is best seen in the Autumn.

It is particularly worth visiting during the bluebell season for one of the best displays in the area. The wild garlic follows close behind and proliferates around our stream area. The woodland is a gem within Dudley and should not be missed by walkers, photographers, nature lovers and those in need of de-stress and re-charging as only woodland can do. Although the woodland was damaged during Ash dieback removal it is recovering well.

Conversation Crescent This is a relatively new feature added to the woodland fairly recently. The Conversation Crescent is an arc or crescent of benches sited in such a way as to allow the sitter to be aware of fellow users as they are within their field of view. It is hoped that this will encourage conversation but not demand it or cause embarrassment as it would if say the benches were face to face. With our penchant for discussing the weather, it shouldn’t be long before a conversation springs up. The benches were funded entirely by Age UK Dudley as part of their drive to combat loneliness in older people. The work was carried out by Friends of Alder Coppice who are the voluntary group who look after the woods. (Please see an entry for them on this site). To access the benches, enter the woodland from the Northway entrance and follow the path into the woodland for about 150 yards/metres. From the Swallowfields Road entrance, follow the yellow route/pathway.

Local Nature Reserve. Alder Coppice was granted Local Nature Reserve status by Natural England during November 2019 giving us more legal protection than before. We were also fortunate enough to obtain a community Grant from Dudley Council for new notice boards. It is hoped to add ponds and scrapes (not containing water all year round) during the winter of 24/25. This will add new habitats, increase the insect and bird populations and give even more interest to the reserve. This has been made possible and desirable by the removal of some 32 mature Ash trees as part of the Ash die back clearance for safety reasons. This has opened up the woodland and given us new opportunities to encourage new wildlife by creating new habitats. We also have an Arts Project running connected to our woodland and the 'Getting into Hot Water' project which is being run in turn as part of Dudley People's School for Climate Justice (more information from www.gettingintohotwater.org).

We have also formed an agreement with our local GP Surgery on Alderwood Precinct off Northway. Any patients in need of some extra exercise or in need of somewhere to de-stress are given one of our leaflets with a map of all the paths on the reverse. They are encouraged to use the woodland as a place for tranquillity as well as somewhere to keep fit. Of course, any patient can pick up a leaflet in the waiting room.

We have also had organisation book tours of the woodland such as Bridgnorth Camera Club and our new MP is due to take a tour thus November '24. We also hope to be connected to the 'Dudley Pathway Project' as well. Meetings are underway at present.

NB. Our Facebook page ‘Friends of Alder Coppice’ has more information and maps of the wood. The maps are also on notice boards at each entrance to the woodland, DY3 3RL and DY3 3TR.