Local Wildlife Site

Wildlife

In the southern section of the site a good number of mature trees are present, the most frequent being yew, followed by sycamore, holly, a huge horse chestnut and areas of dense planted shrubs. The grassland is dominated in places by perennial rye-grass, but other species present include rough-stalked meadow-grass, meadow foxtail, sweet vernal-grass, red fescue, cuckoo flower and common cat's-ear. Field wood-rush and common sorrel are locally abundant. This is indicative of old slightly acidic meadowland. The northern section, St. John's Additional Burial Ground, is more open and supports a slightly different suite of species, including mature yews, Turkey oak, sessile oak, beech, copper beech, wild cherry and sweet chestnut. Grassland species include meadow buttercup and pignut, an indicator of acid conditions. There are patches of diverse and well-established tall herbaceous plants, which includes both native species and exotic ones planted on graves. Some of the older tombstones, particularly those composed of limestone, have a covering of various mosses and lichens, as well as a number of types of fern including hart's-tongue and the uncommon lady-fern.

Facilities

No information available