Wain Wood

Wain Wood is situated on a north-east facing slope which is over decalcified boulder clay and is an example of a habitat which has a limited and localised distribution in the United Kingdom anymore due to deforestation or afforestation, especially with conifers. The woodland is dominated by pedunculate oak, sessile oak with hornbeam in the north of the site and gean to the south. At the centre of the wood is a disused pit which is surrounded by ash and gean. Much of the south of the area consisting of acidic grassland. Wain Wood is host to a diverse butterfly fauna including purple hairstreak,[1] and the speckled wood.[3]

Wain Wood's name has been associated with a site of pagan worship but it may, more prosaically, derive from the old word for a wagon and refer to a wagon way which passed through the area. It was used by Quaker families from Hitchin for recreation, mainly the enjoyment of nature. Hornbeam was coppiced here and the bark of the trees was collected for use in tanning. The author and Baptist preacher John Bunyan preached in Wain Wood, sometimes the congregations in the wood would number into the thousands. Up to th 1880s anniversary services were held in the wood to commemorate Bunyan's preaching there.[3]

There is access by a footpath from the bottom of Preston Hill.[3]

• List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Hertfordshire

• Wain Wood, Bunyan’s Cottage and Dell, A History of Preston in Hertfordshire