View to Masham13 of us; 11 travelling in the mini bus and 2 independently (Annie and Dania) enjoyed a superb day out in Hackfall woods, an historic ancient woodland and SSI situated in a 350 feet gorge alongside the River Ure Nr Masham in North Yorkshire. The woodland has a mix of native trees which have grown to a considerable height dominated by oak with beech, lime, elm and silver birch. There is a rich understory of plants including ferns. Hackfall was a place of pilgramage for those on the Grand Tour and visited and painted by Turner and other notable artists. Hackfall consists of a natural woodland and garden with folly features by William Aislabie (who designed the Studley Royal gardens). We were greeted by Paul Mosley, warden employed by the Woodland Trust, who own the reserve - purchasing it in 1989 as a result of the efforts of local residents who formed the Hackfall Trust and were fearful of it falling into unsympathetic hands. 
Peacock on Dog RoseThe vistas of Masham church, Mowbray Castle, Forty Foot Fall from the Grotto, Fountains Pond and Fountain, the Ruin, Fisher's Hall plus many other waterfall features and cascades were enjoyed. The trees and plants were magnificent; 130 plant species were recorded, 70 in flower. Noteworthy species were yellow pimpernel, sanicle, woodruff, common twayblade, greater horsetail, water and wood avens plus hybrids. The woodland floor was carpeted with dogs mercury, ramsons and ferns (10 species). Birds in evidence were blackcap, chiffchaff, wood warbler and buzzard. Butterflies were in present in the glades (4 species peacock, green-veined white, orange tip, speckled wood plus one interesting moth identified by John as Clouded Magpie were seen). The ponds yielded newts and tadpoles. Although cloudy it was dry and warm. Hackfall is a very special place.
Margaret