Hales and Shadwell Woods

Hales and Shadwell Woods

Site of Special Scientific Interest
Shadwell Wood
Location	Essex
Grid reference	TL 573414 TL 572404
Interest	Biological
Area	15.4 hectares
Notification	1986
Location map	Magic Map

Hales and Shadwell Woods is a 15.4-hectare (38-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest north-east of Saffron Walden in Essex.[1][2] Shadwell Wood has an area of 7.1 hectares and it is managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust.[3] Hales Wood is a National Nature Reserve,[4] and it is listed in the Nature Conservation Review.[5]

The woods, which are under half a mile apart, are both ancient coppice wet ash and maple on chalky boulder clay. The shrub layer is diverse, with plants including wayfaring-trees, guelder roses, spurge-laurel and the nationally uncommon oxlip. Seven species of orchid have been recorded in Shadwell Wood, which also has herb-rich grassy rides.[1]

There is access to Shadwell Wood by a footpath from Walden Road,[3] but no access to Hales Wood.[4]

References

1. "Hales and Shadwell Woods citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
2. "Map of Hales and Shadwell Woods". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
3. "Shadwell Wood". Essex Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
4. "Essex's National Nature Reserves". Natural England. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
5. Ratcliffe, Derek (1977). A Nature Conservation Review. Vol. 2. Cambridge University Press. p. 60. ISBN 9780521214032.

52.039°N 0.289°E / 52.039; 0.289