A Weekend Among the Woods and Wild Plants of the Dedham Vale

This is a course focused on identification. It is designed to give the beginner a basic knowledge of all these groups.

The woodlands around Flatford should be at their richest in May – a treasure-trove to explore with a wealth of plants to study and identify, from carpets of spring flowers to the graceful canopies of deciduous trees, now in full leaf and several still bearing catkins or blossom. Many of the freshly unfurled ferns will be bearing sporangia, which will aid identification. At this time, there should be many mosses in prime condition to entice those who have not yet developed an interest in this group of attractive plants.

Not just familiarity of the common species but a confidence in tackling other ‘new’ species on their own back home. To achieve this we shall consider the essential structural details and the terminology used in the scientific keys to identification for each group. We shall not be hunting for rarities or seeking to clock up long lists of species, but rather we shall be getting familiar with the characteristic species of different types of woodland and looking for useful field characteristics.

We shall spend most of the weekend outside exploring the woods and thickets around Flatford and another close to the banks of the Stour estuary. The pace will seldom be strenuous. However, participants must be prepared to be out in all weathers and to walk over all sorts of terrain. Wet weather will not stop play, though we may spend more time working inside. Plenty of guidance will be given in the use of scientific keys for identification. You will be encouraged to make use of the low power microscope, not just as an aid to identification but in order to wonder and enquire at the intricacy and beautiful detail of our diverse woodland plants.

About the tutor

Ros Bennett

Ros Bennett is a botanist and ecologist. She was formerly a full-time tutor at Flatford Mill and then organiser and leader of courses for FSC Overseas. She has written books on flowers and trees and has taught courses on plant identification to all age groups, and to both amateurs and professionals.

About Flatford Mill

Check-in is between 1600-1800, if you are arriving after 1800 please advise us, so we can ensure you are advised of access codes, room key location, and room location.
You will meet the tutor at dinner, and you will have your first session after dinner.

Explore our range of nature courses hosted by our engaging tutors and learn from their expertise and knowledge. Our nature experiences are a chance to meet like-minded people, a chance to unwind from everyday life, and a great opportunity to experience the UK’s glorious wildlife and the surrounding countryside of our field centres.

This course is open to participants aged 18 and over only. For under-18s, please contact the centre directly or see our young people courses and activities for families.

What's Included

Expert Tuition
Free Wi-Fi
Full Board Accommodation
Hot and Cold Drinks
Picnic Lunch

Before You Attend

What to bring

A hand lens x 10 magnification), available on loan or the tutor can supply these at the first meeting (at c. £9.00)
Two pairs of fine pointed forceps (if you have them) and/or two mounted needles. (Available on loan)
Wellingtons/waterproofs. (Available on loan from the Centre)
A notebook, pencils and pens
A lunch box/salad box and flask/drink bottle

Recommended books:

There is no need to bring books with you, but in addition to any that you are accustomed to using, we recommend the following:

New Flora of the British Isles by Stace (CUP, ideally 4th edition)
Collins Flower Guide by Streeter (Collins ideally 2nd Edition 2016)
Grasses, Sedges, Rushes and Ferns of Britain and North-western Europe by Francis Rose (Viking).
Bryophytes of Native Woods – a field guide to common Mosses and Liverworts of Britain and Ireland’s Woodlands by Carol Crawford (The Natural Resource Consultancy).
The Field Studies Council produces fold-out charts to introduce beginners to the identification of wild flowers, trees, ferns and mosses. These should be available for purchase at the centre.