REVIEW - Places to photograph - Fineshade woods (RSPB)

Place: Top Lodge, Fineshade woods
(Between Peterborough/Corby/Oakham), Northamptonshire. (RSPB/Forestry commission owned)

Date of visit: 21/02/09

Price for entry: Free (£2 daily car parking charge)

Notable features: Wildlife - Red kites, deer, woodland birds; Trails - 3 varied length walking trails, 5mile cycle route, 4mile horse trail.

A spur of the moment decision meant a trip to this woodland. We werent that hopeful of a sighting of red kites whilst there so it was a pleasant surprise to see one glide overhead when we first arrived. Although we didnt have cameras at the ready it was a lovely thing just to see. The light was finally on our side after such a long period of overcast weather so it looked hopeful for photography.

The trails are well kempt and even with the recent rainfall it was fairly easy going. We chose the middle length trail, this was a 3 mile round trip. It also meant a stop off at the wildlife hide which was a plus point.

• The woodland was a great place to wander around, great pictures presented themselves all the time and the general scenery offered great chances for bird pictures if you had a long enough lens. There was also a lot of scope for taking abstract shots of twisted trees etc with their lack of leaves at this time of the year.
  

• The wildlife hide was the best place for pictures though. It is a well built hide, unlike some others I've visited. It makes such a difference when you have a well built hide to sit in and it offers great views across a field area. This has lots of feeding stations and trees dotted around. According to the sightings book at the centre, deer have often been seen in this field and if we had seen them, the hide would give great views of this. Many woodland bird species can be spotted here, along with rabbits and squirrels. The hide really did offer a lot of views, with many windows available to look from.
  
• Also at the visitor centre there are useful facilities such as toilets and a cafe. There are also craft shops, a play area and loads of events happening regularly.

Evaluation:

I am pleased to say Fineshade woods is a lovely place to visit. Value for money is excellent, with nothing to pay except a minimal parking charge. For £2 you can stay all day and even have the chance of taking some great pictures, especially close up shots of the birds on their feeding stations. It would be great as a family day out or just a quiet walk alone. The people in the centre are friendly and the whole area seems well looked after.

FINAL SCORE

8/10

If you live anywhere near this woodland I cannot recommend enough taking a trip to see it for yourself. Its great value for money and offers a quiet an peaceful place to take photographs.