About the reserve

This reserve lies on a distinctive steep-sided bowl at the head of the valley of the Cadmore Brook. The upper and western parts of the wood are considered to be ancient semi-natural woodland. Many fine semi-mature oaks and ash trees as well as a good variety of other species including field maple and goat willow occur here.

The eastern fringe of the wood is the richest botanically with a large patch of ramsons at the top of the slope, and a number of interesting species associated with damp woodland further down. These include giant horsetail around the head of the spring, and along the edge of the stream lower down may be found meadowsweet, brooklime, opposite-leaved golden saxifrage, marsh marigold and water avens. Birdlife in the reserve includes both common woodpeckers, five species of tit, and several pairs of both jackdaw and nuthatch. In most years, a pair of wood warblers take up residence and willow warblers have bred in the new coupe areas.