Witch Wood

Witch Wood is what’s left of The Big Wood, once the west and south boundary of Lytham Hall Home Park.

In 1963 Guardian Royal Exchange took over the Clifton Estate, and the council gifted the remaining derelict wood to Lytham St Annes Civic Society. It was to be a woodland walk for the local community.

The Society has done huge amounts of work over the years. Volunteers have cleared undergrowth, created paths and worked with Network Rail to make a continuous walk from Ansdell to Lytham.

Prince Phillip opened the woodland in 1974.

Looking after Witch Wood

Lytham St Annes Civic Society continues to maintain the wood, with advice and grants from the Forestry Commission. Sadly, as victims of Dutch Elm Disease, a number of trees had to be removed. Invasive species like sycamore have been replaced with native species like oak and beech. The Society bore the cost of more than £5000 of replacing the main path with a recycled product called Top Trek.

Lancashire Wildlife Trust helped to complete a new section of path near the school fence opposite the cricket field. Lancashire Environmental Fund provided a grant for the work. To the appreciation of walkers, this path completes the trail through the length of the wood.

Site of Special Scientific Interest

Witch Wood is part is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and covered by tree preservation order.

Look at these beautiful views, captured by Kate Yates –

Why Witch Wood?

‘The Witch’ was a favourite horse of the Clifton family.

The much-loved pet fell in the wood on 5 January 1888 and is buried there. Have you found the gravestone?

Witch Wood in the Autumn

Visit Fylde Coast reader, Michael J O’Leary, kindly took these photos for us. Here’s the woods looking very autumnal.

Where is Witch Wood?

It’s not a long way from Clifton Drive. The address is Bridge Rd, Lytham St Annes, FY8 4EQ

Find out more about this lovely woodland on the Lytham St Annes Civic Society website.

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