The three ancient woods that make up this site are separated by set-aside agricultural fields. Well Wood is a large and ancient wood, while Long Shaw and Cooper’s Wood are ancient, but are only small fragments. All three have fine displays of wild flowers in the spring. There is free public access to Well Wood, but the others can only be seen from roads and nearby public footpaths.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Well Wood, Long Shaw and Cooper's Wood
Borough: Bromley
Grade: Borough Grade I
Access: Free public access (part of site)
Area: 21.78 ha
Description
Wildlife
Well Wood has an excellent structure and some of it is still actively coppiced. The canopy is dominated by sweet chestnut, with ash and oak. There is a small plantation of Douglas fir in the centre of the wood. Most of the wood lies on acid soils, although the southern edge is on chalk. The diverse ground flora includes butcher's-broom, trailing St John's-wort and yellow pimpernel, while coppiced areas have a spectacular display of foxgloves in spring. Long Shaw and Cooper's Wood, both smaller fragments of ancient woodland, are mostly outgrown ash and sweet chestnut coppice and appear to have a chalky influence. In Long Shaw the ground flora include butcher's-broom and moschatel. The southern end of Coopers Wood is now used as a wood yard and has been partially cleared. All three woods are notable for the virtual absence of sycamore.Facilities
No information available
Foxgloves at Well Wood © Mike Waite
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