Ancient oak woodland, spectacular views and more than 500 million years of history. A steep climb is necessary to explore the woods properly and gain views. 

Little sister to the Wrekin it may be, but The Ercall has its own history. Quarried to provide road stone for the nearby A5, this destruction had the effect of revealing rocks from the beginnings of life on this planet. Ripples in the surface are distinctly visible, where waves lapped on an ancient shoreline some 500 million years ago.

A staggering 821 species of invertebrates (butterflies, beetles, spiders, bees, bugs, ants etc) were found here in a single survey. In spring, the woods are awash with bluebells and singing with birds just returned from Africa, and in summer plentiful bird’s-foot trefoil makes this a favoured stronghold of one of Telford’s speciality butterflies, the dingy skipper.

To visit, park in Ercall Lane Car Park (52°41’21.8″N 2°31’28.5″W), uneven but unique in that you can park right in the forest. OR for access to both The Ercall and Wreckin, park at the Forest Glen Car Park (52°40’47.0″N 2°32’10.1″W).