This area of tranquil natural woodland was a narrow strip of wood that stretched from Ballards Plantation towards Littleheath Wood in the mid nineteenth century. Most of the area was purchased at the same time as the Heathfield Estate. Other habitats include an area of acid grassland to the south and a pond. The site is owned by Croydon Council, who have designated it as a Local Nature Reserve, and managed by London Wildlife Trust. The London LOOP passes through the site.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Bramley Bank
Borough: Croydon
Grade: Borough Grade I
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 10.31 ha
Description
Wildlife
The dominant trees in the woodland are pine, sweet chestnut, beech, oak and sycamore. Although much of the ground flora is dominated by bramble and bracken, there are areas of other species including male fern, broad buckler fern, dog's mercury and sanicle. In the south is an area of acid grassland with heather, Sheep's fescue, common bent, heath bedstraw and wood sage. The pond is most notable for the fact that all five native amphibians have been recorded as breeding. These are common frog, common toad, smooth newt, palmate newt and great crested newt, although the latter has not been confirmed recently. Nuthatches and woodpeckers have been seen on the site as well as purple hairstreak butterfly and yellow meadow ant.Facilities
Waymarked walking route
The pond at Bramley Bank Nature Reserve © London Wildlife Trust
Palmate newt © Mike Waite
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