Matlock Woods
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SK295574 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 4.38 | 2011-06-13 |
| SK295580 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 7.16 | 2011-06-06 |
| SK296591 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 7.71 | 2011-06-06 |
Habitats
Geology & landscape
Rock Type: Limestone
Description
Area, 18.45 ha. 46.6 ac. Description Matlock Woods are one of the best examples in Derbyshire and the Peak District of ash elm woodland with their typical association of shrubs and ground flora. The age, structure and species composition of these woods strongly suggests that they are a remnant although modified of the ancient woodland cover of the limestone dales. They are particularly important for having the largest population in the area of the two native lime trees, small leaved lime Tilia cordata and large leaved lime Tilia platyphyllos. These trees occur both as true species and as a wide range of naturally occurring hybrids. The age variation is also very wide, some of the limes being over 200 years old. Lime occurs largely on the steepest slopes particularly on cliffs and among limestone outcrops and is frequently associated with yew Taxus baccata. Wild service tree Sorbus torminalis, an uncommon species in Derbyshire, has been known from Hagg Wood since1860. The ground flora includes a number of locally uncommon species notably stinking hellebore Helleborus foetidus, Solomon’s seal Polygonatum multiflorum and wood fescue Festuca altissima.
Species mentioned
Show the 6 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| wood fescue | Festuca altissima | Not listed in GB list | grass | poaceae |
| foetid hellebore | Helleborus foetidus | LC | herb | ranunculaceae |
| Soloman's seal | Polygonatum multiflorum | LC | herb | liliaceae |
| yew | Taxus baccata | LC | tree | taxaceae |
| lime small leaved | Tilia cordata | LC | tree | malvaceae |
| large leaved lime | Tilia platyphyllos | LC | tree | malvaceae |
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.
| Species | Status | Via host-plant |
|---|---|---|
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Tilia spp. |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Tilia spp. |
| Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus |
Near Threatened | Festuca spp. |
| September thorn Ennomos erosaria |
Near Threatened | Tilia spp. |
| Scarce hook-tip Sabra harpagula |
Near Threatened | Tilia cordata |
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.