Clearing the View at West Stow Country Park

The first phase of ‘clearing the view’ has been underway. The team at West Stow have been working with a local landscape company to improve and install new paths and the platform in the gap between the village and the forest. The paths are designed to support 2 new aspects for the needs of the park. Firstly to allow access from the village perimeter down into the Alder Carr and to the river edge. The second is to create a new alternative footpath that diverts the public away from that area during seasons when it floods. In the past visitors/users had to turn back on their walk to the river/lake, now the path allows a safe and scenic diversion to the heath and lake.

We’re pleased this work has been able to take place as, by May 2021, activities had been limited due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. The main activity was the continued planting of trees in the designated areas for development along the river edge. A large area was cleared and landscaped to provide the key viewing point for ‘Clearing the View’ as well as the removal of further alders and scrub.

More of the old alder trees were removed and chainsawed into small sections. Larger pieces have been moved to the village and will be used for authentic splitting techniques and making items for the houses.