Local Wildlife Site

Wildlife

The ancient woodland is dominated by mature oaks with a few ash and hornbeam trees, showing signs of coppicing in the past. There is also some sycamore and the odd Scots pine. The shrub layer is chiefly composed of hawthorn and field maple, with the occasional hazel. Midland hawthorn is also found in the wood, together with one specimen of wild service-tree - both of these are typical of ancient woodland. A few other tree and shrub species occur in the shrub layer, including elder, holly, wych elm and pear. A few ground flora species typical of ancient woodland still occur, including bluebell, wood melick, wood meadow-grass, dog's mercury and a single patch of wood anemone. A number of birds frequent the woodland, including song thrush, chiffchaff, nuthatch, spotted flycatcher, treecreeper and all three British woodpeckers.The south of the park hosts a large number of specimen trees, including oak, horse-chestnut, and various poplars. Wildflowers here include garlic mustard, common knapweed, cow parsley and great willowherb. This area is particularly attractive to butterflies with red admiral, large skipper, meadow brown and speckled wood being recorded.

Facilities

Information; cycle paths; toilet; playgrounds. The park is patrolled by on-site park keepers.