Holyland Wood Management

Holyland Wood is managed as a nature reserve to enhance its natural habitats; promote its educational use; and maintain it as an outdoor area for the local community to enjoy as a wildlife reserve close to an urban environment. 
Maintenance of the Wood is done entirely by volunteers, guided by Pembroke 21C Holyland Wood Management Group, with professional advice and practical support from the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.

Our primary focus is to maintain the Wood in its most natural state, and intervention is directed towards this rather than managing it as a manicured environment; whilst ensuring the Wood is open and safe for the public to appreciate its wildlife and enhance their wellbeing.


Woodland covers most of the site, and its varied structure is maintained as far as possible by natural processes.  There is a predominance of broadleaved species, such as Oak and Ash with wetter areas supporting Willow and Alder.  The carr habitat supports a great diversity of ground flora and deadwood, which in turn provide for numerous invertebrates.

Management Objectives

The carr and woodland habitats are managed in such a way as to benefit wildlife, without causing detriment to existing habitats such as fen.  Habitat management areas cover:-
Semi-natural Broadleaved Woodland: to encourage a greater diversity of tree species and age, to provide greater opportunities for woodland flora and fauna.  Old tree trunks and dead wood are left in-situ, as they support a large number of fungi and invertebrates; decaying trees are particularly important for wildlife, so these are retained, unless there is a conflict with public safety.
Wet Woodland:
to prevent further encroachment into adjacent reedbed, isolated patches of wet woodland and willow scrub are removed.
Reedbed: to encourage the diversity of wetland plant species found throughout the reedbed; increase the overall coverage of reedbed habitat where possible; maintain the biodiversity value of the reedbed for associated fauna species.
Grassland and Scrub: to maintain species diversity of grassland and scrub flora and associated fauna species; the conservation value is paramount to the aesthetical value.

Recent and Ongoing Work

Tree Survey
A tree survey of Holyland Wood was undertaken in October 2021 by Tree Consultants Wales (Tiers Cross).  The vast majority of remedial work has since been undertaken, mostly affecting sycamore, oak and ash trees.  Some of this work included the removal of a bench on the upper woodland path as a preventative measure, in order to reduce the risks associated with dwell time when sitting below a mature sycamore tree with numerous wounds and holes.

Boardwalk Fire Damage
A fire was discovered on 22nd September 2021.  The Fire Brigade was summoned and extinguished a serious fire that damaged a large section of the boardwalk, beyond the bench that overlooks Pembroke Upper Mill Pond at the far end of the path.

The Holyland Wood Management Group and volunteers have cleared and made the area safe.  It is unlikely that the boardwalk area will be reinstated due to the cost and effort it would take.  The affected area will be allowed to return to nature and, therefore, future access will be restricted.  However, as the area is at the end of a side route, this should not have a significant impact on the enjoyment of the wood for most users.

Invasive Species Management
During summer 2021, volunteers spent a considerable number of hours pulling Himalayan Balsam from the reedbed and wetland areas of Holyland Wood.  One of our sessions was attended by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s Non-Native Species Project Co-ordinator, along with conservation volunteers from the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.  This will continue to be an ongoing task from spring onwards.
There have been some patches of Japanese Knotweed in previous years close to the car park.  Both the owner and Pembrokeshire County Council undertook effective control measures; and it is currently not a problem.

Information Notice Board and Interpretation Panels
The Holyland Wood Notice Board in the car park was erected in August 2016, plus Route Map and Habitat descriptions.  This was provided by The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales’ Heart of Pembroke PUMP Project funded via the Co-op’s Plastic Bag Levy. Following wear and tear to the original Interpretation Panels (2 located in the car park area and 1 at Jack Skones’ entrance), the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales funded their replacement in August 2021, using Co-op funds (see above).

Boardwalk Repairs
Following wear and tear to the boardwalk, originally installed in 2008, and damage caused by rising waters and vandalism, repairs were completed in December 2021.  This work was funded via a Groundwork Tesco Bags of Help award (Plastic Bags Levy).

Volunteer Work Parties
Until spring 2020, regular work parties took place, usually on a Saturday.  Due to Covid safety restrictions, these were suspended, although a small group of established volunteers undertook ongoing management such as invasive species control and urgent work resulting from fallen trees.  Seasonal work parties will continue, both on Saturdays and during the week.  These are advertised via posters, a volunteer emailing list and social media. 


On behalf of the Holyland Wood Management Group, we extend our thanks and gratitude to all the individuals and organisations who have assisted with funding and practical work in the provision of facilities, maintenance, repairs and improvements at Holyland Wood.