About the reserve

Named to commemorate its late owner, Graeme Hendrey Wood was worked as a sand and gravel quarry until the 1920s, providing construction material for local roads. The workings have left deep gullies running east to west, parallel to the ridge and this unusual terrain provides shelter for a variety of interesting ferns, mosses and liverworts.

It was also once part of a managed plantation and there are signs of historic coppicing. The mixed deciduous woodland is now dominated by ash and sycamore, along with pedunculate oak, sweet chestnut, silver birch and hazel. On the woodland floor there is ivy, wild garlic, enchanter’s nightshade and dog’s mercury. More notable plant species include birds-nest orchid and wintergreen. Look out for a fine display of bluebells in the spring.

Roe deer often visit the site and you may also see buzzards high in the trees.