| This complex of woods is cited as
being one of the two outstanding localities in the UK for Oak-Hornbeam forest.
Danemead nature reserve is
part of the Wormley/Hoddesdon Park Wood SSSI and Special Area of
Conservation (SAC). This complex of woods is cited as being one of
the two outstanding localities in the UK for Oak-Hornbeam forest.
Danemead is an integral part of this complex. It consists of valley mire,
unimproved damp acid grassland, scrub, stream and Hornbeam woodland.
The wood in which Danemead
is located is known to possess significant archaeological and historic
interest. The site is bounded by the major Roman road, Ermine Street
and by the north end of Martins Green.
The damp meadow at the
centre of the site supports a very rich flora, including sneezewort,
marsh valerian, greater bird's-foot trefoil, meadowsweet and Devil's-bit
scabious. The Trust's flock of Shetland sheep graze the meadow in autumn.
The woodland has wood sorrel, wood spurge, wood sage and large numbers
of broad-leaved helleborine orchids. Butterflies are abundant and
include the white admiral. Purple emporer is found in the surrounding
woodland and willows in the reserve are thought to provide a larval habitat.
Breeding birds in the reserve locality include sparrowhawk,
woodcock, cuckoo, all three woodpeckers, garden warbler, treecreeper,
hawfinch and bullfinch, with possible redpoll and siskin. The Spital
Brook is a significant and highly attractive feature of the reserve,
its margins supporting many fine hornbeam pollards.
Car parking for the reserve is located
off Cock Lane, Hoddesdon, at the St Martin's car park. |