Credenhill Park Wood is due to close for several months.

The closure will allow work at the Woodland Trust owned site to revive ancient semi natural woodland to some of its former glory by thinning conifers planted in the 1960s that are shading out many important woodland plants.

The wood is a well-loved and iconic feature in the landscape sitting atop a steep hill and surrounded by Herefordshire farmland. It is crowned with a nationally important Iron Age Hill Fort enclosure.

The Woodland Trust said the work is part of a UK-wide programme to restore woods that date back from at least 1600 but have more recently been planted with non-native species.

Conifers such as the Norway spruce and Douglas fir seen at Credenhill Park Wood block out the sunlight and damage the rich and ancient ecosystem below.

Georgie Barnard, Woodland Trust contracts manager, said: “By careful woodland management, letting light back in through the canopy, important ancient woodland species can thrive again.

"We hope local people will be sympathetic to the closures and recognise the long term benefits to these woods.”

The closure will be from September 17 and will last for around three months.

The charity has already cleared part of the hill fort, revealing an impressive open space at the top of the woods.

Further work has also taken place over the past year to improve the tracks through the wood, which have previously been muddy and waterlogged.

Visitors to the woods after they re-open, will see the most notable differences caused by the thinning in the southern part of the hill fort.

During the works, the entire wood and car park will be closed to the public as thinning is taking place across a wide area of the woods and the car park will be required for timber stacking and machinery storage.

The woodland trust says the closure is essential for the safety of both the contractors and public.