Growing the nation's forests
Spitfire Forest is a new 168-hectare woodland we're planning to create just south of the village of Twyford, near Winchester. It is being carefully designed as part of our work to increase tree cover across England and create lasting benefits for wildlife, people, and the climate.
Right now, we're only in the early stages of planning what this new woodland could look like, but in the future it could provide important habitats for wildlife, including woodland birds, bats, and insects. It would also absorb carbon from the atmosphere, contribute to the UK's sustainable timber industry, and give local people a new green space to explore.
Find all our latest updates about Spitfire Forest below, and read about the fascinating local legend that inspired its name!
We want to hear from you!
A public consultation for Spitfire Forest is open from Tuesday 19 May until midnight on Sunday 14 June. We're inviting local communities to view our draft designs for the new woodland and share their thoughts with us. This will help us shape the final designs for Spitfire Forest.
Our draft designs include an artist's impression of what the site might look like in 25 years and our responses to questions asked by local people.
Historical roots
Spitfire Forest is being created to last for centuries, but its name reflects a fascinating wartime history. The Spitfire has strong connections to Hampshire. It was designed in Southampton and made its maiden flight from Eastleigh Aerodrome in 1936, just a few miles from Twyford.
However, the name Spitfire Forest was actually inspired by a local story that was recounted to us during a survey of the area. According to local accounts, a Spitfire was forced to make an emergency landing near Twyford on 'Black Thursday' in 1940. It may have even landed at Park Farm itself, the very land where we're planning to create Spitfire Forest!
Frequently asked questions
Yes! Once the new woodland has established (ensuring the trees have their best possible start), we will be dedicating the site under the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act. It is intended to be a quiet, natural space primarily for the local community to enjoy and spend time in nature, which is why we have no current plans to create a car park or any visitor infrastructure, including any additional surfaced trails or facilities for cycling or horse riding.
The new woodland can be reached using the existing Public Rights of Way from Twyford, Colden Common, and the surrounding area, and the entrances already in place. Once there, a network of new grass routes will make it easy for people to explore the new woodland.
Dogs will be welcome, but the woodland will not be fully fenced and we do not plan to install dog waste bins. We expect all dog owners to act responsibly and keep their pets in sight and close by at all times in the new woodland, following our Forest Dog Code.
We are using years of experience and the latest scientific evidence to choose the right trees to plant in the new woodland. Our surveys help us to choose the trees most suitable for the new woodland now and as the climate changes. Our professional foresters carefully choose what trees to plant and where to plant them. They understand the local soil, how quickly the trees will grow, and the important habitats, species, and geographical features nearby. We also consider tree pests and diseases and future climate conditions to keep the woodland as healthy as possible.
The species will be a mix of broadleaf and conifer, often planted together in mixtures, with groups of shrub species along edges to increase the variety and provide seasonal colour and texture. Species at Spitfire Forest could include hazel, hawthorn, black walnut, beech, Douglas fir, red oak and Scots pine.
We're in the early stages of creating our design for the new woodland. Public feedback and surveys will inform our detailed plans for it. Our aim is to create the new woodland over the next couple of years with initial planting beginning in winter 2026/27.
