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The Forest of Leeds |
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BRAMLEY LOWER FALLS
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Description :
Bramley Lower Falls forms part of the Kirkstall Valley Park and undoubtedly its main feature is the area
covered by the old stone workings, now largely reclaimed by nature.
Early records show that part of Bramley was granted to Kirkstall Abbey in 1156 and it is generally believed that stone was taken from the Fall to be used in the building of the Abbey, although records also show stone from Horsforth was used. Stone from Bramley Fall is said to be the hardest of the Millstone Grit formation found between Wharfedale and Airedale. As it resists erosion it was ideal for constructing canal and riverside wharfes, bridges, locks and aqueducts and was also used in the building of York Castle walls. From the medieval period until the industrial revolution the woodland was managed so that very few mature trees would be found growing. Under and around these trees, coppice shoots would be growing from established stools, and would eventually be used to make fencing, roofing spars and firewood. Bramley was the centre of a thriving leather industry until fairly recent times and it is reasonable to assume that oak bark from the Fall would be used to extract tannin for the tanning processes. Since the mid 1960s some new planting has been carried out and a number of different species introduced. The wood now contains varying ages of oak, sycamore, birch, western red cedar, japanese larch, lawson cypress, beech, pine, western hemlock, norway maple, field maple, whitebeam, rowan and wild cherry. The woodland borders the Leeds - Liverpool canal and paths through the estate can be followed from Newlay Locks (near Pollard Lane) to Forge Locks. All routes taken through this site show contrasting landscapes and woodland characters, from new plantings to oak coppice, and silver birch colonies to scrubland. This woodland is also within walking distance of West Park and Clayton Wood. Access and facilities : There are many different path ways through and around the Falls along with numerous picnic areas and playing fields. |
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