Hales and Shadwell Woods explained

Hales and Shadwell Woods
Aos:Essex
Interest:Biological
Gridref:
Area:15.4 hectares
Notifydate:1986
Map:Magic Map

Hales and Shadwell Woods is a 15.4hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest north-east of Saffron Walden in Essex.[1] [2] Shadwell Wood has an area of 7.1 hectares and it is managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust.[3] Hales Wood is a National Nature Reserve,[4] and it is listed in the Nature Conservation Review.[5]

The woods, which are under half a mile apart, are both ancient coppice wet ash and maple on chalky boulder clay. The shrub layer is diverse, with plants including wayfaring-trees, guelder roses, spurge-laurel and the nationally uncommon oxlip. Seven species of orchid have been recorded in Shadwell Wood, which also has herb-rich grassy rides.[1]

There is access to Shadwell Wood by a footpath from Walden Road,[3] but no access to Hales Wood.[4]

References

52.039°N 0.289°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hales and Shadwell Woods citation. Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. 27 May 2016. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070538/http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1001901.pdf. dead.
  2. Web site: Map of Hales and Shadwell Woods. Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. 27 May 2016.
  3. Web site: Shadwell Wood . Essex Wildlife Trust. 27 May 2016.
  4. Web site: Essex's National Nature Reserves. Natural England. 27 May 2016.
  5. Book: Ratcliffe, Derek. A Nature Conservation Review. 60. 1977. 2. Cambridge University Press. 9780521214032.