Work underway at Savernake Forest near Marlborough

Savernake Forest, located just outside of Marlborough, is a 4,500-acre highly protected forest and visitor site with trees believed to be older than William the Conqueror, born in 1028.

Although it is Britain’s only privately owned forest, belonging to the Marquess of Ailesbury and his son the Earl of Cardigan, the site is managed and maintained by Forestry England.

Throughout autumn 2024, Forestry England will now be carrying out work to thin the trees in central areas of the forest, meaning restrictions have been put in place for visitors.

Parts of the forest will be closed at times throughout the next few months, and not following the closures and diversions could lead to serious injury or death.

Savernake Forest brings in thousands of visitors each year (Image: Newsquest)

"Savernake is a working woodland producing sustainable timber and thinning trees means removing selected trees for timber products," said a spokesperson for Forestry England.

"This gives the remaining trees more space and light to grow to their full potential and lets more light onto the forest floor, which improves the habitat for ground flora.

"We will also be identifying veteran trees of the future in an area of 1950s oak plantation and removing the straighter oaks to give space to ones with high potential.

"However, safety is our highest priority."

The work underway has been described as "very hazardous" to the hundreds of visitors who come to the forest each day.

According to Forestry England, a falling tree can weigh several tonnes and hit the ground at nearly 60mph. If a harvesting machine chainsaw snaps, it can fly through the forest like a bullet.

Falling trees can cause a serious danger to life (Image: Newsquest)

The organisation added: "Savernake Forest is open to visitors throughout the forestry work and we will work hard to keep disruption to a minimum, but there will be times when we will need to close access around the forest so we can work safely nearby.

"It is essential for the safety of our visitors, staff, contractors, and volunteers that everyone follows all signs, diversions, and closures at all times, whether or not you can see or hear us working."

Visitors have been warned to follow all signs, listen to staff instructions, be prepared to stop for timber lorries, not touch or move vital signs, and stay away from timber stacks.

It is unclear exactly when the work is expected to finish, however Forestry England has described the process as 'Autumn works'.