This composite site comprises an intimate complex of small ancient woods nestled in a beautifully scenic corner of the North Downs. These include Homefield Spring, New years, Foxberry, High, Kangles, Foxburrow, Hook and Broom Woods, and on the western slope of the valley, Chalk Mine, Little Molloms, Great Molloms Woods and Charmwood Lane shaw. The site also includes adjacent areas of chalk grassland and ancient interconnecting hedgerows.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Norsted Valley Woods
Borough: Bromley
Grade: Metropolitan
Access: Access on public footpaths only
Area: 105.78 ha
Description
Wildlife
Together, these woods support a wide range of plants typical of long-established woodlands. Broom Wood is significant for an abundance of hornbeam trees, which is unusual over the chalk in south-east London. The ancient hedgerows also support many of the rarer woodland plants and have an important role in connecting the woods. The northern, more isolated group of woods supports twayblade and other woodland orchids. Veteran beech trees also grow here. Species-rich hedgerows line the ancient sunken trackway at Snag Lane. The chalk grasslands have good populations of pyramidal orchid. Old chalk mines (dene holes') near these woods provide important hibernation shelters for bats.Facilities
No information available
Daubenton’s bat at roost © Mike Waite
Leaning beech standard © Mike Waite
Feedback
Have a question or a comment for this site, or notice anything missing or out of date? Please contact us.