Broughton Far Wood

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 53.5834, -0.5511

Also within

Lincolnshire County

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (1) Unfavourable No Change (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SE960106 Favourable 16.36 2019-07-11
SE961107 Unfavourable No Change 1.44 2022-11-01

Geology & landscape

Mining / Industrial: Quarry · Rock Type: Limestone

Description

Area, 16.9 hectares 41.7 ac. Description Far Wood is part of an extensive block of commercial woodland in the Broughton area and includes, in the northeast corner Clapgate Pit's, an old quarry with a rich limestone flora. The site lies largely on clay overlying limestone, but there are also localised pockets of blown sand. The woodland canopy is dominated by ash Fraxinus excelsior, sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus and oak Quercus robur, accompanied by other species including small leaved lime Tilia cordata, field maple Acer campestre and wych elm Ulmus glabra. Planted conifers such as larch Larix decidua, pine Pinus sylvestris and spruce Picea sp., are locally prominent. The shrub understorey is particularly rich, with spindle Euonymus europaeus, guelder rose Viburnum opulus, privet Ligustrum vulgare, dogwood Cornus sanguinea, buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica and hazel Corylus avellana. The ground flora is dominated by dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis, other species including enchanter's nightshade Circaea lutetiana, lily of the valley Convallaria majalis, yellow pimpernel Lysimachia nemorum, yellow archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon, bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta and nettle leaved bellflower Campanula trachelium. Bracken Pteridium aquilinum and wood sage Teucrium scorodonia occur where the soil is sandier. Areas of open grassland in the quarry are dominated by tor grass Brachypodium pinnatum and upright brome Bromus erectus, but there is also herb rich limestone grassland containing rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, wall germander Teucrium chamaedrys, marjoram Origanum vulgare, saw wort Serratula tinctoria, dyer's greenweed Genista tinctoria, dropwort Filipendula vulgaris, wild basil Clinopodium vulgare, horse shoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and twayblade Neottia ovata. Heath sedge Carex ericetorum is also recorded. Part of the quarry has been planted with conifers and these now form a dense scrub with natural regrowth of ash, oak and hawthorn Crataegus monogyna. Other Information 1. Part of the site was formerly notified as Clapgate Pit's SSSI, but during the 1985 revision it has been extended to include Far Wood. Far Wood itself was first scheduled in 1957, but not renotified in 1963, possibly because of commercial forestry practices. 2. See also Broughton alder Wood to the south of the present site and separated from it by a commercial plantation.* Under Section 23 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
bracken Pteridium aquilinum LC fern dennstaedtiaceae
tor grass Brachypodium pinnatum LC grass poaceae
upright brome Bromus erectus Not listed in GB list grass poaceae
nettle leaved bellflower Campanula trachelium LC herb campanulaceae
enchanter's nightshade Circaea lutetiana LC herb onagraceae
wild basil Clinopodium vulgare LC herb lamiaceae
lilly of the valley Convallaria majalis LC herb liliaceae
dropwort Filipendula vulgaris LC herb rosaceae
dyer's greenweed Genista tinctoria LC herb fabaceae
rock roses Helianthemum nummularium VU herb cistaceae
horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa VU herb fabaceae
bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta LC herb liliaceae
yellow archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon LC herb lamiaceae
yellow pimpernel Lysimachia nemorum LC herb primulaceae
dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis LC herb euphorbiaceae
common twayblade Neottia ovata NT herb orchidaceae
wild marjoram Origanum vulgare LC herb lamiaceae
saw wort Serratula tinctoria VU herb asteraceae
wall germander Teucrium chamaedrys CR herb lamiaceae
wood sage Teucrium scorodonia LC herb lamiaceae
rare spring sedge Carex ericetorum VU sedge cyperaceae
dogwood Cornus sanguinea LC shrub cornaceae
hawthorn Crataegus monogyna LC shrub rosaceae
spindle tree Euonymus europaeus LC shrub celastraceae
wild privet Ligustrum vulgare LC shrub oleaceae
buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica LC shrub rhamnaceae
gelder rose Viburnum opulus LC shrub caprifoliaceae
field maple Acer campestre LC tree aceraceae
sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus Not listed in GB list tree aceraceae
hazel Corylus avellana LC tree corylaceae
ash Fraxinus excelsior LC tree oleaceae
larch Larix decidua Not listed in GB list tree pinaceae
Scot's pine Pinus sylvestris LC tree pinaceae
common oak Quercus robur LC tree fagaceae
lime small leaved Tilia cordata LC tree malvaceae
wych elm Ulmus glabra 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.

SpeciesStatusVia host-plant
Reddish buff
Acosmetia caliginosa
Critically Endangered Serratula tinctoria
Black-veined moth
Siona lineata
Critically Endangered Origanum vulgare
Oak lutestring
Cymatophorina diluta
Endangered Quercus robur
Figure of eight
Diloba caeruleocephala
Endangered Crataegus spp.
Maple pug
Eupithecia inturbata
Endangered Acer campestre
The lappet
Gastropacha quercifolia
Endangered Crataegus monogyna, Rhamnus cathartica
Heath fritillary
Melitaea athalia
Endangered Teucrium scorodonia
Scarce vapourer
Orgyia recens
Endangered Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp.
White-letter hairstreak
Satyrium w-album
Endangered Ulmus glabra, Ulmus spp.
Mouse moth
Amphipyra tragopoginis
Vulnerable Crataegus spp., Serratula tinctoria
Northern brown
Aricia artaxerxes
Vulnerable Helianthemum nummularium
The sprawler
Asteroscopus sphinx
Vulnerable Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp., Tilia spp., Ulmus spp.
Broom moth
Ceramica pisi
Vulnerable Larix spp., Pinus spp., Pteridium aquilinum, Ulmus spp.
Mottled umber
Erannis defoliaria
Vulnerable Acer campestre, Acer pseudoplatanus, Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp.
Dingy skipper
Erynnis tages
Vulnerable Hippocrepis comosa
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata
Vulnerable Helianthemum nummularium
The lackey
Malacosoma neustria
Vulnerable Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp.
Pale brindled
Phigalia pilosaria
Vulnerable Cornus sanguinea, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Fraxinus excelsior, Larix spp., Quercus spp., Rhamnus cathartica, Tilia spp., Ulmus glabra
Silver studded blue
Plebejus argus
Vulnerable Helianthemum nummularium, Hippocrepis comosa
Lead belle
Scotopteryx mucronata
Vulnerable Genista tinctoria
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
Garden tiger
Arctia caja
Near Threatened Pinus sylvestris, Pteridium aquilinum
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
The sallow
Cirrhia icteritia
Near Threatened Ulmus glabra
Pine-tree lappet
Dendrolimus pini
Near Threatened Pinus sylvestris
Heart moth
Dicycla oo
Near Threatened Quercus robur
Large thorn
Ennomos autumnaria
Near Threatened Acer pseudoplatanus, Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp.
September thorn
Ennomos erosaria
Near Threatened Quercus spp., Tilia spp.
Dusky thorn
Ennomos fuscantaria
Near Threatened Fraxinus excelsior
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Larch pug
Eupithecia lariciata
Near Threatened Larix decidua
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna
Double dart
Graphiphora augur
Near Threatened Crataegus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp.
Silky wave
Idaea dilutaria
Near Threatened Helianthemum nummularium
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
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.

Plant communities

W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub

Matches 17 species from the description above: Acer pseudoplatanus, Brachypodium pinnatum, Circaea lutetiana, Cornus sanguinea, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Euonymus europaeus, Fraxinus excelsior, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Ligustrum vulgare, Mercurialis perennis, Origanum vulgare, Pteridium aquilinum, Quercus robur, Rhamnus cathartica, Teucrium scorodonia, Ulmus glabra

Hedera helix, Salix cinerea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Malus sylvestris, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Ulmus procera, Sambucus nigra, Viburnum lantana, Euonymus europaeus, Cornus sanguinea, Juniperus communis, Ligustrum vulgare, Clematis vitalba, Rhamnus cathartica, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Juncus effusus, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhynchostegium confertum, Tamus communis, Heracleum sphondylium, Torilis japonica, Arum maculatum, Arctium minus, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Stellaria graminea, Stellaria holostea, Stellaria media agg., Calystegia sepium, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Iris foetidissima, Glechoma hederacea, Lamium purpureum, Origanum vulgare, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Allium ursinum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Circaea lutetiana, Rumex sanguineus, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus repens, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Potentilla sterilis, Poterium sanguisorba, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubia peregrina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Anisantha sterilis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium pinnatum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis erecta, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris filix-mas

W25 — Bracken scrub

Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub

Matches 9 species from the description above: Acer pseudoplatanus, Circaea lutetiana, Crataegus monogyna, Fraxinus excelsior, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Mercurialis perennis, Pteridium aquilinum, Quercus robur, Teucrium scorodonia

Hedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sambucus nigra, Ulex europaeus, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Luzula multiflora, Mnium hornum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Arum maculatum, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Silene dioica, Stellaria holostea, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Glechoma hederacea, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Circaea lutetiana, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Potentilla erecta, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium saxatile, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas

W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub

Matches 6 species from the description above: Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Mercurialis perennis, Pteridium aquilinum, Teucrium scorodonia

Hedera helix, Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Ulex europaeus, Prunus spinosa, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Eurhynchium striatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Lophocolea bidentata, Achillea millefolium, Cardamine flexuosa, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum urbanum, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris filix-mas

W20 — Montane scrub

Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub

Salix arbuscula, Salix cinerea, Salix lapponum, Salix myrsinites, Salix phylicifolia, Salix reticulata, Empetrum nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Salix lanata, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Carex atrata, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex flacca, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Aulacomnium palustre, Mnium hornum, Philonotis fontana, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Dicranum bonjeanii, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Fissidens adianthoides, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Palustriella commutatum, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Scorpidium revolvens, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum squarrosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum teres, Barbilophozia barbata, Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila porelloides, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania undulata, Cladonia squamosa, Peltigera canina, Angelica sylvestris, Caltha palustris, Hieraclium spp., Saussurea alpina, Solidago virgaurea, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Rhodiola rosea, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Thymus praecox, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Dactylorhiza viridis, Euphrasia officinalis, Rhinanthus minor, Oxalis acetosella, Oxyria digyna, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla glabra, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Galium boreale, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga hypnoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Nardus stricta, Dryopteris dilatata, Phegopteris connectilis