Sapperton & Pickworth Woods

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 52.8958, -0.4711

Also within

Lincolnshire County

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable No Change (3)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
TF029342 Unfavourable No Change 28.05 2011-06-30
TF029346 Unfavourable No Change 28.05 2011-06-30
TF030336 Unfavourable No Change 28.05 2011-06-30

Description

Area,27.2 hectares Description Sapperton North, Sapperton South and Pickworth Woods are three ancient semi natural woodlands which have developed on the heavy soils of the Midland Clay Belt. The woods contain representative examples of wet ash maple woodland and acid pedunculate oak ash hazel woodland, characteristic woodland types of the Kesteven Plateau. Such woodlands are increasingly threatened by modern forestry and agricultural practices. All three woods have a coppice with standards structure, principally of pedunculate oak Quercus robur and ash Fraxinus excelsior standards with neglected hazel Corylus avellana and field maple Acer campestre coppice. A rich shrub layer is present within the site, including common and midland hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and Crataegus laevigata, blackthorn Prunus spinosa, spindle Euonymus europaeus, wild privet Ligustrum vulgare, aspen Populus tremula and dogwood Cornus sanguinea. The woodlands have a rich and varied ground flora, reflecting local variations in soil moisture and base status. The more acidic areas are characterised by bramble Rubus fruticosus, honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum and wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella. Where conditions are more base rich, dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis, bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta or rough meadow grass Poa trivialis are locally dominant. Other characteristic plants include bugle Ajuga reptans, wood anemone Anemone nemorosa, wood sedge Carex sylvatica, enchanter's nightshade Circaea lutetiana, yellow archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon, barren strawberry Potentilla sterilis, primrose Primula vulgaris and common dog violet Viola riviniana. Rather more uncommon plants, typical of these woodland types are early purple orchid Orchis mascula, nettle leaved bellflower Campanula trachelium and greater butterfly orchid Platanthera chlorantha.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
rough meadow grass Poa trivialis LC grass poaceae
bugle Ajuga reptans LC herb lamiaceae
wood anemone Anemone nemorosa LC herb ranunculaceae
nettle leaved bellflower Campanula trachelium LC herb campanulaceae
enchanter's nightshade Circaea lutetiana LC herb onagraceae
bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta LC herb liliaceae
yellow archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon LC herb lamiaceae
honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum LC herb caprifoliaceae
dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis LC herb euphorbiaceae
early purple orchid Orchis mascula LC herb orchidaceae
wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella LC herb oxalidaceae
greater butterfly orchid Platanthera chlorantha NT herb orchidaceae
barren strawberry Potentilla sterilis LC herb rosaceae
primrose Primula vulgaris LC herb primulaceae
bramble Rubus fruticosus LC herb rosaceae
common dog violet Viola riviniana LC herb violaceae
wood sedge Carex sylvatica LC sedge cyperaceae
dogwood Cornus sanguinea LC shrub cornaceae
midland hawthorn Crataegus laevigata LC shrub rosaceae
hawthorn Crataegus monogyna LC shrub rosaceae
spindle tree Euonymus europaeus LC shrub celastraceae
wild privet Ligustrum vulgare LC shrub oleaceae
blackthorn Prunus spinosa LC shrub rosaceae
field maple Acer campestre LC tree aceraceae
hazel Corylus avellana LC tree corylaceae
ash Fraxinus excelsior LC tree oleaceae
aspen Populus tremula LC tree salicaceae
common oak Quercus robur LC tree fagaceae

Insects to look out for

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

SpeciesStatusVia host-plant
High brown fritillary
Fabriciana adippe
Critically Endangered Viola riviniana
Pearl-bordered fritillary
Boloria euphrosyne
Endangered Viola riviniana
Oak lutestring
Cymatophorina diluta
Endangered Quercus robur
Figure of eight
Diloba caeruleocephala
Endangered Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp.
Dark bordered beauty
Epione vespertaria
Endangered Populus tremula
Maple pug
Eupithecia inturbata
Endangered Acer campestre
The lappet
Gastropacha quercifolia
Endangered Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp.
Duke of Burgundy
Hamearis lucina
Endangered Primula vulgaris
Scarce vapourer
Orgyia recens
Endangered Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus
Black hairstreak
Satyrium pruni
Endangered Prunus spinosa
Mouse moth
Amphipyra tragopoginis
Vulnerable Crataegus spp.
The sprawler
Asteroscopus sphinx
Vulnerable Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Fraxinus excelsior, Populus spp., Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp., Quercus spp.
Broom moth
Ceramica pisi
Vulnerable Rubus fruticosus
Scarce chocolate-tip
Clostera anachoreta
Vulnerable Populus spp., Populus tremula
Mottled umber
Erannis defoliaria
Vulnerable Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Lonicera periclymenum, Populus tremula, Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp.
Marsh fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
Vulnerable Lonicera periclymenum
White admiral
Limenitis camilla
Vulnerable Lonicera periclymenum
The lackey
Malacosoma neustria
Vulnerable Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp., Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus
Pale brindled
Phigalia pilosaria
Vulnerable Cornus sanguinea, Corylus avellana, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus monogyna, Fraxinus excelsior, Populus spp., Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp.
Grizzled skipper
Pyrgus malvae
Vulnerable Potentilla sterilis, Rubus fruticosus
Brown hairstreak
Thecla betulae
Vulnerable Prunus spinosa
Early moth
Theria primaria
Vulnerable Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp.
Pale eggar
Trichiura crataegi
Vulnerable Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Populus spp., Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus
Oak hook-tip
Watsonalla binaria
Vulnerable Quercus robur
No common name
Zeugophora turneri
Vulnerable Populus tremula
Flounced chestnut
Agrochola helvola
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp.
Beaded chestnut
Agrochola lychnidis
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna
Grey chi
Antitype chi
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna
Purple emperor
Apatura iris
Near Threatened Populus tremula
Garden tiger
Arctia caja
Near Threatened Prunus spinosa
Small pearl-bordered
Boloria selene
Near Threatened Viola riviniana
Minor shoulder-knot
Brachylomia viminalis
Near Threatened Populus tremula
Light crimson underwing
Catocala promissa
Near Threatened Quercus robur
Dark crimson underwing
Catocala sponsa
Near Threatened Quercus robur
The sallow
Cirrhia icteritia
Near Threatened Populus spp.
Small heath
Coenonympha pamphilus
Near Threatened Poa spp.
Heart moth
Dicycla oo
Near Threatened Quercus robur
Large thorn
Ennomos autumnaria
Near Threatened Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Populus spp., Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp., Quercus spp.
September thorn
Ennomos erosaria
Near Threatened Quercus spp.
Dusky thorn
Ennomos fuscantaria
Near Threatened Fraxinus excelsior
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna, Populus tremula, Prunus spinosa
Double dart
Graphiphora augur
Near Threatened Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp.
Clay fan-foot
Paracolax tristalis
Near Threatened Quercus spp.
Common fan-foot
Pechipogo strigilata
Near Threatened Quercus robur
Frosted green
Polyploca ridens
Near Threatened Quercus robur

Host-plant 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; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.

Plant communities

W9 — Altantic hazel wood, Limestone pavement, Upland mixed ash wood

Fraxinus excelsior-Sorbus aucuparia-Mercurialis perennis woodland

Matches 18 species from the description above: Acer campestre, Ajuga reptans, Anemone nemorosa, Carex sylvatica, Circaea lutetiana, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Fraxinus excelsior, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Lamiastrum galeobdolon, Mercurialis perennis, Oxalis acetosella, Poa trivialis, Populus tremula, Potentilla sterilis, Primula vulgaris, Quercus robur, Viola riviniana

Hedera helix, Salix cinerea, Acer campestre, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus hybrid, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Pinus sylvestris, Prunus padus, Sorbus aucuparia, Alnus glutinosa, Populus tremula, Ulmus glabra, Sambucus nigra, Crataegus monogyna, Rubus saxatilis, Carex pallescens, Carex sylvatica, Luzula sylvatica, Mnium hornum, Plagiomnium rostratum, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Dicranum scoparium, Fissidens curnovii, Fissidens taxifolius, Brachythecium rutabulum, Cirriphyllum piliferum, Ctenidium molluscum, Eurhynchium striatum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Isothecium alopecuroides, Isothecium myosuroides, Kindbergia praelonga, Loeskeobryum brevirostre, Oxyrrhynchium hians, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium succulentum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Thuidium delicatulum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichum formosum, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila asplenioides, Pellia endiviifolia, Pellia epiphylla, Adoxa moschatellina, Angelica sylvestris, Anthriscus sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Sanicula europaea, Arum maculatum, Cirsium heterophyllum, Cirsium palustre, Crepis paludosa, Jacobaea vulgaris, Tussilago farfara, Cardamine flexuosa, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Silene dioica, Stellaria holostea, Mercurialis perennis, Vicia sepium, Geranium robertianum, Geranium sylvaticum, Ajuga reptans, Lamiastrum galeobdolon, Stachys sylvatica, Allium ursinum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Circaea lutetiana, Circaea x intermedia, Epilobium montanum, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Veronica chamaedrys, Veronica montana, Rumex acetosa, Lysimachia nemorum, Primula vulgaris, Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Trollius europaeus, Alchemilla glabra, Alchemilla xanthochlora, Filipendula ulmaria, Fragaria vesca, Geum rivale, Geum urbanum, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla sterilis, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Cruciata laevipes, Galium aparine, Galium odoratum, Galium saxatile, Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis ramosa, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Melica uniflora, Milium effusum, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus giganteus, Asplenium scolopendrium, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas, Athyrium filix-femina

W11 — Altantic hazel wood, Atlantic oak wood, Caledonian forest, Upland birch wood, Wood pasture

Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Oxalis acetosella woodland

Matches 13 species from the description above: Acer campestre, Ajuga reptans, Anemone nemorosa, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Fraxinus excelsior, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Lonicera periclymenum, Oxalis acetosella, Poa trivialis, Primula vulgaris, Quercus robur, Viola riviniana

Acer campestre, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus hybrid, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Larix decidua, Sorbus aucuparia, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Juniperus communis, Vaccinium myrtillus, Cytisus scoparius, Crataegus monogyna, Rubus saxatilis, Carex pilulifera, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Luzula pilosa, Luzula sylvatica, Mnium hornum, Plagiomnium affine, Plagiomnium undulatum, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Cirriphyllum piliferum, Eurhynchium striatum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Isothecium myosuroides, Kindbergia praelonga, Loeskeobryum brevirostre, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum formosum, Polytrichum longisetum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila asplenioides, Plagiochila spinulosa, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Campanula rotundifolia, Lonicera periclymenum, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Stellaria holostea, Pyrola minor, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Lathyrus montanus, Geranium robertianum, Hypericum pulchrum, Ajuga reptans, Teucrium scorodonia, Convallaria majalis, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Veronica chamaedrys, Veronica officinalis, Rumex acetosa, Lysimachia nemorum, Primula vulgaris, Trientalis europaea, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium saxatile, Melanpyrum pratense, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis vinealis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas, Thelypteris limbosperma, Athyrium filix-femina

W17 — Altantic hazel wood, Atlantic oak wood, Caledonian forest, Upland birch wood, Wood pasture

Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Dicranum majus woodland

Matches 9 species from the description above: Anemone nemorosa, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Fraxinus excelsior, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Lonicera periclymenum, Oxalis acetosella, Quercus robur, Viola riviniana

Hedera helix, Salix caprea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus hybrid, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sorbus aucuparia, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Juniperus communis, Rhododendron ponticum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Crataegus monogyna, Carex pilulifera, Luzula multiflora, Luzula pilosa, Luzula sylvatica, Andreaea rupestris, Mnium hornum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranodontium denudatum, Dicranum fuscescens, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Dicranum scottianum, Leucobryum glaucum, Ptychomitrium polyphyllum, Racomitrium fasciculare, Racomitrium heterostichum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Eurhynchium striatum, Heterocladium heteropterum, Hylocomiastrum umbratum, Hylocomium armoricum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Isothecium myosuroides, Kindbergia praelonga, Loeskeobryum brevirostre, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sematophyllum demissum, Sematophyllum micans, Thuidium delicatulum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum formosum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fimbriatum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum subnitens, Tetraphis pellucida, Adelanthus decipiens, Anastrepta orcadensis, Barbilophozia attenuata, Barbilophozia floerkei, Bazzania tricrenata, Bazzania trilobata, Blepharostoma trichophyllum, Calypogeia fissa, Calypogeia muelleriana, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Diplophyllum albicans, Frullania tamarisci, Fuscocephaloziopsis lunulifolia, Harpanthus scutatus, Jamesoniella autumnalis, Jungermannia gracillima, Lepidozia pearsonii, Lepidozia reptans, Lophocolea bidentata, Lophocolea heterophylla, Lophozia ventricosa, Marsupella emarginata, Microlejeunea ulicina, Mylia taylorii, Nowellia curvifolia, Plagiochila asplenioides, Plagiochila atlantica, Plagiochila killarniensis, Plagiochila porelloides, Plagiochila punctata, Plagiochila spinulosa, Ptilidium ciliare, Saccogyna viticulosa, Scapania gracilis, Scapania nemorea, Scapania umbrosa, Tritomaria exsectiformis, Tritomaria quinquedentata, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia digitata, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia polydactyla, Cladonia squamosa, Cladonia squamules, Cladonia subcervicornis, Parmelia saxatilis, Sphaerophorus fragilis, Sphaerophorus globosus, Solidago virgaurea, Lonicera periclymenum, Succisa pratensis, Cornus suecica, Hypericum pulchrum, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Goodyera repens, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosa, Lysimachia nemorum, Trientalis europaea, Anemone nemorosa, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium saxatile, Melanpyrum pratense, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Agrostis vinealis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Molinia caerulea, Poa nemoralis, Poa pratensis, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris aemula, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas, Hymenophyllum tunbrigense, Hymenophyllum wilsonii, Polypodium vulgare, Thelypteris limbosperma, Athyrium filix-femina