Groton Wood Nature Reserve

Groton Wood nature reserve Suffolk Wildlife Trust

By Steve Aylward

Herb paris by Steve Aylward

Herb paris by Steve Aylward

Groton Wood nature reserve Suffolk Wildlife Trust

By Steve Aylward

Early purple orchid by Steve Aylward

Early purple orchid by Steve Aylward

Groton Wood nature reserve Suffolk Wildlife Trust

By Steve Aylward

Groton Wood nature reserve Suffolk Wildlife Trust

By Steve Aylward

Groton Wood nature reserve Suffolk Wildlife Trust

By Steve Aylward

Suffolk Wildlife Trust

Groton Wood Nature Reserve

This ancient woodland is noted for its small-leaved lime coppice, an indication that the northern part of the wood has existed since prehistoric times.

Location

West of Kersey near Hadleigh
Hadleigh
Suffolk
IP7 6HD

OS Map Reference

TL976429
A static map of Groton Wood Nature Reserve

Know before you go

Size
20 hectares
z

Entry fee

Free.

Walking trails

Can be wet and muddy in the winter.

Trail map

Access

Not suitable for wheelchairs.

No drone flying without express permission.
(Permission will only be granted in exceptional circumstances)

If you'd like to visit this reserve as a group, please contact us in advance.

Find out why we ask you to keep your dog on a short lead at most of our reserves and why this is important for wildlife conservation. Why we ask dogs are kept on a lead

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

March to September

About the reserve

Brimstone butterflies feed on sunny spring days and woodcock display at dusk. This ancient woodland is noted for its small-leaved lime coppice, this is an indication that the northern part of the wood has existed since prehistoric times. The other species to note in Groton Woods is its large wild cherry trees, -it is one of only a few ancient woodlands in Suffolk with this species.

Groton Wood is unusual in that is has 22 seasonal ponds. These are good places to spot frog, toad and newt including the protected great-crested newt.

The rides are bursting with bluebell, pignut and early-purple orchid with shadier areas being characterised by violet helleborine, woodruff and herb-paris. 15 species of butterfly have been recorded at Groton Wood including brimstone, speckled wood and purple hairstreak whose caterpillars feed on oak. Summer songsters include black cap, willow warbler and chiffchaff, while other birds such as treecreeper, all three woodpecker species, woodcock and nuthatch are resident here.

Contact us

Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01473 890089

Environmental designation

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Location map

What is coppicing, and why is it important?

In this short film, Alex Lack (Woodlands Warden at Suffolk Wildlife Trust) explains the long tradition of coppicing at Bradfield Woods and the vital role this ancient woodland management technique plays in creating wildlife-rich habitats.

Featuring Alex Lack. Filmed and editted by John Collins.