Midford Valley Woods

Also within

Wiltshire County Cotswolds Scenic Area

Condition (Natural England)

Habitats

Coppiced woodland

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Limestone

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

Description

Area, 24.6 ha. 60.8 ac. Description Midford Valley Woods comprises some of the best examples of southern calcareous ash wych elm woods on the oolitic limestone of the Wiltshire Cotswolds. It is a floristically rich site with large populations of a plant which has a nationally restricted distribution. The woods have developed on moderate to steep north west facing slopes of the Midford Brook Valley. Boulders litter the woodland floor in many places, especially in areas which have been quarried in the past. Ash Fraxinus excelsior is dominant throughout either as standards or as multi stemmed specimens. Standard oaks Quercus robur are also common whereas beech Fagus sylvatica and whitebeam Sorbus aria are present in much smaller numbers. Mature wych elm Ulmus glabra was formerly widespread but following attacks of Dutch elm disease it is now represented by much standing and fallen dead wood. The less frequent English elm U. procera has been similarly affected but both elm species are now regenerating from ground level. The shrub layer is characterised by derelict coppice of hazel Corylus avellana although some recent coppicing has been carried out. Many other shrub species are present including hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, field maple Acer campestre, holly Ilex aquifolium, privet Ligustrum vulgare, spindle Euonymus europaeus and dogwood Cornus sanguinea. The straggling wild clematis Clematis vitalba grow vigorously and is locally frequent. Most of the woodland floor is carpeted by a diverse herb layer comprising extensive areas of ramsons Allium ursinum, bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta and dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis. Other common flowering plants include wood anemone Anemone nemorosa, sanicle Sanicula europaea, woodruff Galium odoratum and occurring less frequently are spurge laurel Daphne laureola, herb paris Paris quadrifolia, Solomon's seal Polygonatum multiflorum and the uncommon yellow star of Bethlehem Gagea lutea. In places there are large numbers of spiked star of Bethlehem Ornithagalum pyrenacium, a species virtually restricted to a small part of south west England. The damp nature of the woods has encouraged a luxuriant growth of ferns. Both hard and soft shield fern Polystichum aculeatum and Polystichum setiferum are present as well as an abundance of hart's tongue Asplenium scolopendrium. Polypody Polypodium sp grows both on boulders and upon the branches of old trees, where mosses and lichens also flourish. Many of the typical woodland grasses and sedges occur such as wood melick Melica uniflora, wood millet Milium effusum, wood meadow grass Poa nemoralis, wood sedge Carex sylvatica and pendulous sedge Carex pendula. The site supports a characteristic woodland breeding bird community including chiffchaff, willow warbler, great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker and nuthatch. Badgers also breed within the site. The white-letter hairstreak Satyrium w-album butterfly still survives in the vicinity of the remnant population of wych elm, its larval food plant.

Species mentioned

Insects to look out for

These moths and butterflies are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a hostplant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.

Hostplant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation (Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.