About the reserve

The reserve is a fine example of ancient woodland, partly lying on a plateau, and partly on a steep southeast facing slope dipping towards Cadmore Brook, which runs in a steep-sided dingle. The western edge of the wood is also bounded by a steep dingle, and along the northern boundary there is a well-defined woodland bank - a strong indicator of an ancient woodland site. Plants indicating ancient woodland include bluebell, wood anemone, and yellow archangel. .

Parts of the upper sections of the wood are permanently damp and have been colonised by rushes, lady's smock and creeping jenny. Other damp areas along the Cadmore Brook contain many alders, together with meadowsweet, water avens and opposite-leaved golden saxifrage. Herb Paris is locally abundant in the wood.

The wood is rich in other wildlife. A survey carried out in 1980 revealed 25 species of mollusc, with several uncommon species restricted to ancient woodlands. The most spectacular insect has to be the hornet. Among the bird species, pied flycatchers are present. Both marsh and willow tits breed here.  

Notable mammals include the rare Bechstein’s Bat - a tree-dwelling species associated with old growth woodland. It is now one of the rarest British bats. Dormice also are present in the wood,