Radford Woods
Woodland Trust
Radford Woods is a 40-hectare (99 acres) Local Nature ReserveStatutory designation allowing principal local authorities to protect areas containing wildlife or geological features of particular local interest. south-east of Plymouth, Devon, owned by Plymouth City Council.[1] It comprises a collection of areas including Jennyscombe Wood, Barn Wood, Brixtonhall Plantation, Basinghall Plantation and Buddle Wood.[2]
Habitats include meadows, woodlands, old quarry, running and still water and marshland, which drains into the River Plym at Hooe Lake.[2][3]
Radford Woods once formed part of the estate of the Harris family, who lived in Radford House for more than 500 years. The house fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1937; a plaque in the woods marks the site of the mansion.[4]
Flora and fauna
Much of the woodland canopy is dominated by beech, but sweet chestnut, sycamore and oak are also present.[2]
Species of plants found on the site include wild garlic, moschatel, pignut, yellow pimpernel, wood millet, bluebell and primrose, indicating that it is an ancient woodland.[2] Radford Woods is thought to be one of only 24 sites in the UK where the Deptford Pink (Dianthus Armeria) can still be found.[4]
Another increasingly scarce species found in the scrubby areas of the woods is the Great Green Bush Cricket (Tettigonia viridissima).[4]