The woodlands
The woodlands at Coombe are mainly mixed deciduous broadleaves with an area of mixed coniferous woodland surrounding the Wrautums field. The woods contain both native and introduced species and the 1984/86 Woodland survey identified over 50 species at Coombe (excluding the gardens), including sycamore 39%, oak 12%, Scots pine 10%, silver birch 7%, ash 6%, lime 6%, hornbeam 2% and others 18%.
The 90 acre Lake and its surrounding woodland have been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by English Nature because of its bird population, including the Heronry, which is on a small island close to the north bank of the lake and can be viewed from a bird hide.
Part of the woodland has been fenced to create a Conservation area, providing a safe place for animals and to help minimise disturbance to the Heronry. The Heronry is the largest and one of the oldest in Warwickshire, supporting more than 50 breeding pairs of herons.
Capability Brown created the lake and planted the surrounding woodland and parkland in 1770.
