Kingscote and Horsley Woods
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST829966 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 8.61 | 2012-11-14 |
| ST831972 | — | Favourable | 33.4 | 2012-11-13 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Jurassic · Rock Type: Limestone
Description
Description The site represents a good example of an ancient beech dominated woodland complex typical of the Jurassic limestone of the western part of the Cotswolds. Horsley, Kingscote and Sandgrove woods are all similar, being dominated by beech Fagus sylvatica of various ages, with some ash Fraxinus excelsior and with oak Quercus robur in Sandgrove. The understorey consists largely of hazel Corylus avellana and hawthorn Crataegus monogyna with beech, ash and wych elm Ulmus glabra regrowth. The ground flora contains abundant bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis, anemone Anemone nemorosa and some dense patches of ramsons Allium ursinum. Fishponds Wood has recently been clear felled but is regenerating well with a variety of tree and shrub species including ash and elm Ulmus procera. Small teasel Dipsacus pilosus is frequent in this part of the site and a pond adds diversity and interest to the area.
Species mentioned
Show the 12 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ramson | Allium ursinum | LC | herb | liliaceae |
| wood anemone | Anemone nemorosa | LC | herb | ranunculaceae |
| small teasel | Dipsacus pilosus | LC | herb | dipsacaceae |
| bluebell | Hyacinthoides non-scripta | LC | herb | liliaceae |
| dog's mercury | Mercurialis perennis | LC | herb | euphorbiaceae |
| hawthorn | Crataegus monogyna | LC | shrub | rosaceae |
| hazel | Corylus avellana | LC | tree | corylaceae |
| beech | Fagus sylvatica | LC | tree | fabiaceae |
| ash | Fraxinus excelsior | LC | tree | oleaceae |
| common oak | Quercus robur | LC | tree | fagaceae |
| wych elm | Ulmus glabra | LC | tree | ulmaceae |
| English elm | Ulmus procera | LC | tree | ulmaceae |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oak lutestring Cymatophorina diluta |
Endangered | Quercus robur |
| Figure of eight Diloba caeruleocephala |
Endangered | Crataegus spp. |
| The lappet Gastropacha quercifolia |
Endangered | Crataegus monogyna |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| White-letter hairstreak Satyrium w-album |
Endangered | Ulmus glabra, Ulmus spp. |
| Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis |
Vulnerable | Crataegus spp., Dipsacus spp. |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Ulmus spp. |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp., Ulmus glabra |
| Early moth Theria primaria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp. |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp. |
| Oak hook-tip Watsonalla binaria |
Vulnerable | Quercus robur |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Grey chi Antitype chi |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Light crimson underwing Catocala promissa |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Dark crimson underwing Catocala sponsa |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Dusky-lemon sallow Cirrhia gilvago |
Near Threatened | Ulmus glabra, Ulmus procera |
| The sallow Cirrhia icteritia |
Near Threatened | Ulmus glabra |
| Heart moth Dicycla oo |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| September thorn Ennomos erosaria |
Near Threatened | Fagus sylvatica, 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 |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Crataegus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus 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.