 Woodhall
Spa is unbelieveably fortunate that a substantial part of the centre
of the village (over 19 acres) has been preserved and protected
as 'The Pinewoods'. There is probably no other large village in
England with such a huge proportion of its centre given over to
woodland, freely accessible to the public. It has, however, had
a chequered history. originally attached to the Victoria Hotel
and planted largely with Scots Pine and various exotic trees, it
provided a spacious and genteel surrounding for promenading. After
the disastrous hotel fire in 1920 it slowly fell into disuse. This
process was accelerated in the Second World War when the army moved
in and destroyed parts of it. Unmanaged, the woods began
regenerating with oak, beech, birch, sycamore, rowan and holly.
The Woodland Trust purchased the Pinewoods
during the early 1980's and with grant aid work has recently begun
to widen paths, replace footbridges, clear undergrowth,
create picnic areas near the periphery and improve access and drainage.
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