Chaddesden Wood is special because it is the only ancient oak woodland in the city of Derby. It covers nine hectares, or 23 acres. Acquired by Derby City Council in November 1990, it was declared a Local Nature Reserve in April 1991. Being declared a Local Nature Reserve will help to ensure its proper protection and management. It will also enhance its wildlife, recreational and educational value for existing and future generations.
History of Chaddesden Wood
Imagine going back in time 200 million years. You would be standing in a vast treeless desert, with a hot blistering sun beating down. Frequent dust storms and occasional flash floods would carry enormous quantities of sand, mud and pebbles into rapidly drying lakes.
We know this because of studies carried out on the rocks under the Derby area and much of the Midland Plain. Over time the mud has formed a stiff clay known as Mercian Mudstone. The sand and pebbles have hardened, turning into the red-coloured Sherwood Sandstone. The mudstones form the 'bedrock' under Chaddesden Wood and the surrounding area.
About 300 thousand years ago, during the Ice Age, huge ice sheets gouged their way southward, covering the Derby area. When the ice melted it left behind a thin layer of clay. This contained stones from as far away as North Derbyshire. This 'Boulder Clay' has since been largely eroded away. But around Chaddesden Wood it can still be found on top of the mudstones. It produces a rather wet and acidic soil.
We believe that Chaddesden Wood has existed since the Middle Ages. Records show that in 1548 George Dethick inherited the Chaddesden estate from his father, John Dethick of Breadsall. The estate contained 100 acres of pasture and 40 acres of woodland. At this time woodland would have been managed for its timber. Trees, especially hazel, would be regularly coppiced, cut back to ground level, and then allowed to re-grow. This would provide a continual supply of poles. People used these for bean supports, fencing and firewood. Some oaks would be cut down to supply timber for houses and furniture.
During the 18th Century a great demand for wooden ships led to the cutting down of many large oaks. Small timber for poles continued to be produced by coppicing.
Woodland at this time also formed part of large estates which were used for hunting. Chaddesden Wood would have provided cover for game such as deer, pheasants and partridges.
Until the early 1980s open fields surrounded Chaddesden Wood. Today only the northern side has a view into open countryside. Houses have been built around the rest of the wood.
If you would like to know more, then download a copy of our Chaddesden Wood Local Nature Reserve leaflet 
300kb. For leaflets on other areas of natural history in the city, then visit our walks and nature trails web page.
You can also visit the wildlife and geology displays at the Derby Museum and Art Gallery, or contact the Derby Natural History Society 
or the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust 
for information on natural history in the city.
A management plan for Chaddesden Wood Local Nature Reserve has been produced by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust for the Council.
Chaddesden Wood Local Nature Reserve
Management Plan 2002 - 2012
Woodland Diary
Oakwood resident, David Tillett has very kindly provided a series of reports on the wildlife which can be found in the wood. These reports are:
Chaddesden Wood Education Resource Pack
June 2006 saw a significant milestone in the publication of the 'Chaddesden Wood Education Resource Pack'. Many schools have garden clubs, or field trips, or outdoor science sessions. The pack will be invaluable in setting high standards, when educating children about their natural environment.
The pack has emerged from two years of work from the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers team working on the Wildspace! project. It is aimed at school children aged 4 – 11, Key Stages 1 and 2 and lays out instructions for lots of outdoor activities related to the natural environment, which can be carried out in almost any setting, even indoors! Each of the 23 activities listed have been linked to the relevant sections of the National Curriculum, encompassing topics such as Science, English, Art and Design, History, Design and Technology, and Citizenship. This is to help school staff to make the most of these activities and to show how easily the natural environment can be used as a learning resource.
This resource has been developed by Wildspace! Environmental Education Volunteer Officer Emily Phillips at BTCV - Derby. It is free to users and can be downloaded from the following links. If you have any queries about the pack, please contact BTCV on 01332 348591.
Chaddesden Wood Education Resource Pack
For further information contact
Derby City Council
Regeneration and Community
Roman House
Friar Gate
Derby DE1 1XB
Telephone 01332 255021 Minicom 01332 256666 Fax 01332 255989 email wildderby@derby.gov.uk