| 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]