Description of Bridgewood

Places

The Glade is located at the centre of the wood, on the Middle Ride. The picnic tables area acts as a social space, and there are some pieces of equipment elsewhere in the clearing.

The Middle Ride is the main trackway through Bridgewood, running from the parking area near the entrance, through to the Glade and then to the T-Junction where the other two main rides meet on the far side of the wood.

The North Ride is a semi-circular trackway in the north half of the site, with a mixture of winding curves and long straight stretches and never more than a few metres wide.

The South Ride is another semi-circular trackway, meeting the North Ride at both ends to form a ring running near the edges of the site. In contrast to the North Ride, it passes through several wide meadow-like areas.

The T-Junction is a small clearing where the Middle, North and South Rides meet, as indicated by its signpost.

Equipment

The Cage Pit is a wood-lined hole in the ground, with a lockable iron grill to prevent escape. It is located on the edge of the Glade.

Eric's Gate is a frame in the form of a farm gate, made by EricStanton, which can be used rather like a St Andrew's Cross.

The Holding Pen provides a secure space for captives, in its own clearing.

The Whipping Frame was made of hazel poles cut a few days earlier, and stands in the Glade.

The Ladder Rack was built by EricStanton and PhoenixAmber, using hazel poles from Bridgewood.

The Tree Pod is a hazel tree with three trunks about 6 inches in diameter. It makes a good natural substitute for a St Andrew's Cross, and it's possible to use it for suspension work by lashing rope to the trunks.

Wildlife

A wide variety of birds and mammals have been spotted in the wood, including pheasant, common buzzard, woodmouse, rabbit, fox, squirrel, hare, woodcock, the sounds of woodpecker, and footprints of deer and badger.

Many of the weblog posts describe aspects of the wood, and how it has been developed over time.