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About the woodland
About the woodland
Hannahston Community Woodland (HCW) is a thriving community woodland in East Ayrshire, Scotland - extremely popular with local walkers, dog walkers, wildlife watchers and the local school.
The woodland covers an area of about 28 hectares (70 acres, or 280,000m2, or 40 football pitches), and provides:
Natural green woodland
2.6km of paths - of which most are accessible using mobility devices.
Safe open space
Tranquil setting for reflection
Holistic approach to mental health
Exercise
Education
Home to many animals
Flora and Fauna
Bird Watching
Pond-dipping at Nature Day 2025.
Nature Day
Nature Day
In May each year, we run a "Nature Day", hosting various exhibits and activities for the community to join in with, and encourage everyone to explore nature and the woods.
Nature Day 2026 was on Saturday 16th May, and was attended by at least 179 adults, 122 children and 23 dogs, joining us for:
UnderSky
Games on the Grass
Owl Magic display
Hannahston Alpacas
RSPB bird watching
Willow weaving
Bug Hunting
And much more!
The woodland ecology
The woodland ecology
Extensive planting in the former mining site is now maturing nicely, with mixed, varied woodland and a range of habitats and species, including species-rich grassland, open water, and wetland.
The woodland area is made up of young stands of planted mixed broadleaved and Scots Pine and a mature shelterbelt on the western side of the site is recorded as being broadleaf woodland of long-established plantation origin. This means that it was first recorded on 1st edition OS 6” map and suggests that it has been woodland for at least 150 years and probably longer, but not more than 250 years since General Roy maps do not show it.
Ayrshire Coalfield Environment Initiative marker stone, 2025.
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