The Ancient Woods of Helford River

About this book

The Helford River, Cornwall, is one of the very few places in England where ancient woodland meets the sea. It also has a curious industrial and cultural history.

Describing the geology, history and flora of twenty-five individual woods, including Bonallack, Calamansack, Devichoys, Grambla, Gweek, Merthen, Reskymmer, Trelowarren, Tremayne and Treverry, The Ancient Woods of the Helford River explains how these special places have survived the centuries and what the future may hold for them.

After Oliver Rackham’s untimely death in February 2015, a number of manuscripts were discovered in various stages of completion, including The Ancient Woods of the Helford River. This posthumous publication explores one of Rackham's favourite places to carry out fieldwork in the British Isles and celebrate the life and work of an outstanding botanical and landscape writer.

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Biography

Oliver Rackham (1939-2015) was the pre-eminent botanist of his generation, whose work focused on trees and woodlands. He was the author of many books including The History of the Countryside. His final book was The Ash Tree, in Little Toller's nature monograph series.