Staple Hill is a working forest producing sustainable timber. We are working here from July 2026 for several weeks. This page provides information about what's happening and how it affects your visit.
What is happening?
We are thinning trees across a large area of the forest, starting in the eastern side and working west. Thinning means removing selected trees to give the remaining trees more space and light to grow to their full potential. Thinning also lets more light onto the forest floor, which improves the habitat for ground flora and the wildlife it supports.
Why are you working now?
We are starting work in the summer to take advantage of the lower rainfall at this time of year. This helps to protect Staple Hill's sensitive and irreplaceable soils.
Can I still visit Staple Hill?
The most important thing for Forestry England is to keep the public, our staff, and contractors safe.
The forest will be closed for several weeks from 20 July 2026, including the car park and public rights of way. We never take the decision to limit public access lightly, but it is essential to keep you and our team safe. Please follow all signs and instructions at all times. These are for your safety, whether or not you can see or hear us working. Forestry work is very hazardous. A falling tree can weigh several tonnes and hit the ground at nearly 60mph. If a harvesting machine chainsaw snaps, it can fly through the forest like a bullet. There might also be material caught up in the canopy. Never enter a working forestry site.
When it is safe to do so, we will reopen the car park and start to re-open the trails at Staple Hill. We can’t estimate when this might be possible, due to factors outside our control, such as the weather and wildlife. Please check this page for updates.
Alternative parking
While Staple Hill is closed, the nearest car park is at Castle Neroche 2.5 miles away.
What about the wildlife?
Harvesting trees is an important part of sustainable forest management and well managed forests support more wildlife. Before we start any forestry work, we carry out thorough ecological surveys to check for species such as birds, mammals, rodents, invertebrates, flora, and fungi. This enables us to identify ecological constraints such as the presence of European Protected Species and Schedule 1 protected birds, which affect the time of year when certain operations can be carried out.
We consider our findings against complex factors including tree health, how the ground slopes, soil condition, and likely rainfall when planning forestry work. While working, we continue to check for wildlife and adapt, pause, or suspend work if necessary. There isn’t a single, perfect time of year for forestry work.
Where can I find out more?
You can read our full forest plan for Staple Hill online. If you have any questions about our work in the Forest, please email us.