This site is made up of an extensive area of chalk grassland and scrub, with two ancient woodlands on opposite sides of a dry valley. Jewels Wood is a varied ancient woodland with some old beech trees, and Spitfire Wood (on Saltbox Hill) is also ancient, consisting mostly of ash. These habitats support a long list of local and nationally uncommon plants and invertebrates. Approximately half of the site is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The London Wildlife Trust own much of the site to the north of Saltbox Hillis, including a nature reserve which is freely accessible. Jewels Wood is owned by Croydon Council and has free access. The rest of the site is privately owned and at present is not accessible.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Saltbox Hill and Jewels Wood
Borough: Bromley
Grade: Metropolitan
Access: Free public access (part of site)
Area: 48.65 ha
Description
Wildlife
The rich plant life includes white helleborine, fly orchid, carline thistle, chalk milkwort, Horseshoe vetch, common calamint, autumn gentian and the nationally scarce man orchid. Rare butterflies include the chalkhill blue, dark green fritillary, and dingy and grizzled skippers. Other important invertebrates include glow-worms and the nationally scarce tawny cockroach. Jewels Wood features typical woodland breeding birds and a diverse array of wildflowers including common twayblade and other orchids.Facilities
Information (on signs); waymarked trails.
Dark green fritillary © Mike Waite
Bluebells in Jewels Wood © Andrew Williams
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