The Big Belly Oak has a girth of approximately 11 meters and is estimated to be over 1,000 years old.
The forest contains the remains of a Victorian-era arboretum established by the Marquess of Ailesbury.
It is a critical habitat for the rare Scarce Chafer beetle, which relies on the decaying wood of ancient trees.
The Grand Avenue, designed by Capability Brown, stretches for roughly 6 kilometers through the center of the woods.
The forest was historically part of a royal hunting ground established by William the Conqueror.
Many ancient trees in the forest are 'pollarded', a historical practice of pruning to encourage new growth for timber.
Savernake Forest is a privately owned woodland in Wiltshire, England, currently managed by Forestry England under a long-term lease. It holds the distinction of being the only forest in Britain privately owned by the same family, the Cardigan family, for nearly a millennium. The landscape spans approximately 4,500 acres, characterized by high concentrations of ancient oak and beech trees. Several of these specimens, such as The Big Belly Oak and The Cathedral Oak, are over 1,000 years old. The forest features a unique grid-like layout of avenues planned by landscape architect Lancelot 'Capability' Brown in the 18th century. It is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its rare saproxylic beetles and diverse fungal species. The area remains a working forest, balancing commercial timber production with conservation efforts. Public access is facilitated through a network of permissive paths and tracks spanning the estate.
The Big Belly Oak, located near the roadside edge of the forest.
Follow the marked 'Grand Avenue' trail to navigate the most significant historical landmarks easily.
Bring sturdy, waterproof footwear as paths become muddy and uneven after rainfall.
Keep dogs on a lead during spring and early summer to protect ground-nesting birds and deer fawns.
Do not attempt to walk off-path into dense undergrowth, as the terrain is uneven and easily leads to getting disoriented.
Practice 'Leave No Trace' principles, stay on designated paths, and do not climb on the fragile ancient trees.
