About the reserve

Part of a much larger area of ancient woodland, Merrivale Wood clearly falls into two vegetation types; the western two-thirds is dominated by oak and ash, while that eastern section is quite distinct with many old ash, wild cherry and sycamore trees. The wood provides valuable habitats for a range of woodland birds, including blackcap and marsh tit. Most of the common woodland butterflies are to be found here in summer along open glades and woodland margins.