Burnham Beeches

Burnham Beeches
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Middle Pond
Area of Search Buckinghamshire
Grid reference SU950857
Interest Biological
Area 374.6 hectares
Notification 1985
Location map Magic Map

Burnham Beeches is a 374.6 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest situated west of Farnham Common in the village of Burnham, Buckinghamshire. The southern half is owned by the Corporation of London and is open to the public.[1][2] It is also a National Nature Reserve and a Special Area of Conservation.[3][4]

Preservation

Druids Oak, the oldest tree in Burnham Beeches

The largely beech woodland has been regularly pollarded, with many trees now several hundred years old. Their age, and the amount of deadwood in and around them, means that the woodland is rich in wildlife. More than sixty of the species of plants and animals here are either rare or under threat nationally. The area is protected as a National Nature Reserve, Site of Special Scientific Interest and a candidate Special Area of Conservation.

Archaeology

Seven Ways Plain hill fort is located in the south west part of Burnham Beeches. it is a rare example of a single rampart earthwork used either as a stock enclosures or possibly places of refuge. It comprises a range of earthworks which have been dated to the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age.[5] It is a Scheduled Monument.[6]

Filming

The close proximity of Pinewood, Shepperton and Bray Studios and the outstanding natural beauty of the Beeches have made it a desirable filming location. Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, The Crying Game, First Knight, Goldfinger, The Princess Bride, the 1952 Disney film The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 are among the films and TV productions that have been shot at Burnham Beeches.[7]

Filming is tightly controlled in recognition of the Beeches' international importance for wildlife. Filming is restricted to no more than twenty days per year and to certain times of year. Filming in environmentally sensitive areas has also been banned. Revenue from filming goes directly to fund the upkeep and management of the Beeches.

Affiliates

Burnham, New Zealand was named after Burnham Beeches.

Burnham Beeches FC - An amateur football team who currently compete in the East Berkshire Football League.

See also

Alfred de Bréanski Burnham Beeches

References

  1. ↑ "Burnham Beeches citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 January 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  2. ↑ "Map of Burnham Beeches". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  3. ↑ "Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common". City of London. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  4. ↑ "Buckinghamshire's National Nature Reserve: Burnham Beeches". Natural England. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  5. ↑ "Burnham Beeches Management Plan" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2009.
  6. ↑ "Slight univallate hillfort at Seven Ways Plain, Burnham Beeches". Historic England. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  7. ↑ "IMDb: Most Popular Titles With Location Matching "Burnham Beeches, Buckinghamshire, England, UK"". IMDb.

Coordinates: 51°33′45″N 0°37′49″W / 51.562629°N 0.63018°W / 51.562629; -0.63018

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