Woodlands

There are a number of woodlands in the surrounding area with rights of way through them.

Mardley Heath

This is a large wood extending to 37 hectares, regenerating naturally following gravel extraction in the 20th century. In mediaeval times it was wood pasture common where local people grazed animals, gathered fuel and fed their pigs on acorns. There is a car park on Heath Road, an easy access trail close by and a longer perimeter trail for horse-riders and cyclists.

When the wood was enclosed by an Act of Parliament, it was used for growing timber. It was then sold for gravel extraction.

Birch trees and heathland species regenerated on the open sandy centre of the site, while original oak and hornbeam woodland remained around the perimeter. Some 40 hornbeam pollards remain as clues to the reserve's past. Sandy soils also provide homes for rare solitary bees and wasps.