The history and archaeology of a district beauty spot is being unearthed in a week-long project.

Shipley Glen, known as Bradford’s Outdoor Museum, is being explored by residents at a free week of activities.

It is part of the Celebrating Our Woodland Heritage project, which is recording the historical and archaeological development of 1,500sq km of woodland across the South Pennines, including sites in Skipton, Ilkley, Bolton and Blackburn.

The overall three-year project, which started in September 2016, conducted surveys in 19 woodlands last year, and will visit 17 up to March this year. It is jointly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Yorkshire Water, Newground Together and the Green Bank Trust, with support from the University of Bradford’s department of archaeological sciences.

A hardy group of visitors battled wet conditions to take part in yesterday’s opening day of research at Shipley Glen.

They started their survey by recording gateposts at a public bridleway next to the Old Glen House pub. This was believed to have been used as a pack horse trackway during the 17th century. The group then entered the woods and recorded the types of trees at the beauty spot.

Chris Atkinson, woodland heritage officer at Pennine Projects, said he hoped the project would have covered all of the Glen’s features by Friday and wanted to unearth preserved prehistoric findings.

He said: “We are looking at the whole of human history; from pre-historic to the Second World War and today. Anything we come across really. Shipley Glen features old tramways and boundaries for us to look at.

“We are doing these surveys to improve our knowledge of the important woodlands. The findings of Shipley Glen and the other woodlands will be published.”

Joy Smith, Friends of Bracken Hall Countryside Centre secretary, said: “It is important that the Glen is part of this survey. It has just got so much. People come from all over the place to it.

“There is nothing at the moment that puts all of the information about the Glen together, but this will link it.”

Tony Woods, of Shipley, who took part in yesterday’s survey session, said: “I don’t know much about Shipley Glen, so this will give me a chance to learn more about it. I have no idea what we will find.”

The Shipley Glen section of the survey will take place until Friday, between 10am and 3pm each day. Meet at the layby on Glen Road, near Bracken Hall Countryside Centre, at 10am each day. Booking is essential. Email chris.atkinson@pennineprospects.co.uk.