Our History

This 35 hectare (86.5 acre) site consists of extensive woodland and several lakes located in a narrow valley just outside Aldermaston.

Young Estates & Land Ltd has owned the land since 1961, when they bought it from Turner & Hunter, a local timber company. Remnants from the wood working days are still visible at Paices Wood, such as the old coppice stools and the variety of trees growing here.

On purchasing Paices Wood, the Youngs used the site for gravel extraction for the next twenty years. The lakes that are now used for fishing were created at that time for gravel washing purposes. Plateau gravels were dug from the top of the valley and water then pumped up from the lakes to the processing plant.

Since gravel extraction finished in the early 1980's, the land was restored and became the site of the industrial estate. It was decided to develop the rest of Paices Wood into country parkland. To this end, and with the help of the Pang and Kennet Valleys Countryside Projects (FWAG), West Berkshire Council, the owners and funding from the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, a footpath network has been developed, a car park has been created and a conservation programme has been implemented.

This background has created an interesting mosaic of habitats at Paices Wood; coppice woodland, wet woodland, the wildlife pond in the amphibian area, the avenue of lakes, ridge and furrow landscape and the lapwing area.

Interpretation signs can be found around the park, which explain these important features and the wildlife you are likely to see.

As indicated on the map, a medieval road borders the country park to the north-west edge, creating a natural boundary between Paices Wood and the neighbouring Wasing Estate. This tree-lined double-banked track is actually the old road from Aldermaston village to Brimpton Common. It went out of use when the Common was enclosed and seems to have had short banks build across it to block it.

There are two different walks to help you explore Paices Wood. The Orange walk guides you around the various features of the park, ie. The lakes, woodland and the amphibian area; while the Blue Walk is a shorter walk, concentrating on the variety of woodland at the country park, ranging from alder coppice in the wet bottom of the valley, to sweet chestnut and cherry trees further up the valley.

Enjoy a quiet walk around Paices Wood Country Parkland and see how much wildlife you can find...