Puckham Woods

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 51.8928, -1.9889

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable No Change (2) Unfavourable Recovering (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SP007216 Unfavourable No Change 8.14 2024-12-06
SP008224 Unfavourable No Change 17.81 2024-12-06
SP010215 Unfavourable Recovering 6.34 2024-12-06

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Jurassic · Rock Type: Limestone

Description

Area, 32.38 ha. 79.98 ac. Description This site is of special interest for its flower rich, ancient semi natural woodland and unimproved limestone grassland, which are representative of vegetation types much reduced by recent changes in land use and management. The site lies on the edge of the Cotswold scarp to the east of Cheltenham. It consists of two broadleaf woodlands and two unimproved pastures. The underlying geology is of the Jurassic period consisting of Inferior Oolite limestone with a narrow band of Fuller's Earthout cropping in the northern block of woodland. The woodlands are species rich ash – maple – dog’s mercury Fraxinus excelsiorAcer campestreMercurialis perennis plant communities. Such woodlands are scarce in the Cotswolds where beech Fagus sylvatica dominated woodland is more commonly encountered. Puckham Woods are also important as one of only a few woods of this type where past forestry practice has maintained a woodland composed of species native to the site. The general practice locally has been the conversion of such stands to broadleaf or conifer plantations. In addition to ash, the canopy includes pedunculate oak Quercus robur, silver birch Betula pendula, whitebeam Sorbus aria and rowan Sorbus aucuparia. In places the shrub layer retains a coppice structure, an unusual feature in woodlands of the Cotswolds. hazel Corylus avellana, is the dominant species with some field maple, wych elm Ulmus glabra, hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, guelder rose Viburnum opulus and holly Ilex aquifolium. The ground flora is very rich with over twenty species indicative of ancient semi natural woodland. In spring, the woodland floor is carpeted with bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, a particular attribute of British woodlands in the European context. Dog’s mercury Mercurialis perennis, ramsons Allium ursinum, yellow archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon and woodruff Galium odoratum are frequent. There is a colony of the nationally scarce angular solomon's seal Polygonatum odoratum and several uncommon species such as herb paris Paris quadrifolia, lily of the valley Convallaria majalis, greater butterfly orchid Platanthera chlorantha, wood vetch Vicia sylvatica and meadow saffron Colchicum autumnale. The unimproved pastures occupy moderately steep south to south east facing slopes. The grassland is a species rich upright brome – tor grass Bromus erectusBrachypodium pinnatum plant community. Other characteristic grasses of the grazed sward include red fescue Festuca rubra, meadow oat grass Avenula pratensis and quaking grass Briza media. Herbs typical of this plant community are present including common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule, wild thyme Thymus praecoxand salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba. Several orchid species are found here, namely pyramidal orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis, bee orchid Ophrys apifera and green winged orchid Anacamptis morio. The site also supports the nationally scarce bastard toadflax Thesium humifusum. Scrub, principally composed of hawthorn, has developed over parts of the grassland.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
meadow oat grass Avenula pratensis Not listed in GB list grass poaceae
tor grass Brachypodium pinnatum LC grass poaceae
quaking grass Briza media VU grass poaceae
upright brome Bromus erectus Not listed in GB list grass poaceae
red fescue Festuca rubra LC grass poaceae
ramson Allium ursinum LC herb liliaceae
green-winged orchid Anacamptis morio NT herb orchidaceae
pyramidal orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis LC herb orchidaceae
dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule VU herb asteraceae
autumn crocus or meadow saffron Colchicum autumnale NT herb colchicaceae
lilly of the valley Convallaria majalis LC herb liliaceae
woodruff Galium odoratum LC herb rubiaceae
rock roses Helianthemum nummularium VU herb cistaceae
bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta LC herb liliaceae
yellow archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon LC herb lamiaceae
dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis LC herb euphorbiaceae
bee orchid Ophrys apifera LC herb orchidaceae
herb paris Paris quadrifolia VU herb melanthiaceae
greater butterfly orchid Platanthera chlorantha NT herb orchidaceae
angular Solomon's seal Polygonatum odoratum VU herb liliaceae
salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba VU herb rosaceae
bastard toadflax Thesium humifusum VU herb santalaceae
wood vetch Vicia sylvatica Not listed in GB list herb fabaceae
hawthorn Crataegus monogyna LC shrub rosaceae
gelder rose Viburnum opulus LC shrub caprifoliaceae
field maple Acer campestre LC tree aceraceae
birch Betula pendula LC tree betulaceae
hazel Corylus avellana LC tree corylaceae
beech Fagus sylvatica LC tree fabiaceae
ash Fraxinus excelsior LC tree oleaceae
holly Ilex aquifolium LC tree aquifoliaceae
common oak Quercus robur LC tree fagaceae
whitebeams Sorbus aria CR tree rosaceae
rowan Sorbus aucuparia LC tree rosaceae
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
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
Scarce vapourer
Orgyia recens
Endangered Betula spp., 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., Poterium sanguisorba
Northern brown
Aricia artaxerxes
Vulnerable Helianthemum nummularium
The sprawler
Asteroscopus sphinx
Vulnerable Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp.
Broom moth
Ceramica pisi
Vulnerable Betula spp., Ulmus spp.
Mottled umber
Erannis defoliaria
Vulnerable Acer campestre, Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp., Sorbus aucuparia, Ulmus spp.
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata
Vulnerable Galium spp., Helianthemum nummularium
Grayling
Hipparchia semele
Vulnerable Festuca rubra
Bedstraw hawk-moth
Hyles gallii
Vulnerable Galium spp.
The lackey
Malacosoma neustria
Vulnerable Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp.
Pale brindled
Phigalia pilosaria
Vulnerable Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp., Ulmus glabra
Silver studded blue
Plebejus argus
Vulnerable Helianthemum nummularium
Grizzled skipper
Pyrgus malvae
Vulnerable Poterium sanguisorba
Early moth
Theria primaria
Vulnerable Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp.
Pale eggar
Trichiura crataegi
Vulnerable Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp.
Oak hook-tip
Watsonalla binaria
Vulnerable Betula pendula, Quercus robur
Flounced chestnut
Agrochola helvola
Near Threatened Betula spp., 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 Sorbus aucuparia
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
Small heath
Coenonympha pamphilus
Near Threatened Festuca spp.
Heart moth
Dicycla oo
Near Threatened Quercus robur
Kentish glory
Endromis versicolora
Near Threatened Betula pendula
Large thorn
Ennomos autumnaria
Near Threatened Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp.
September thorn
Ennomos erosaria
Near Threatened Betula spp., Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp.
Dusky thorn
Ennomos fuscantaria
Near Threatened Fraxinus excelsior
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Betula spp., Galium spp., Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna
Double dart
Graphiphora augur
Near Threatened Betula spp., 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
Dark-barred twin-spot carpet
Xanthorhoe ferrugata
Near Threatened Galium spp.
White prominent
Leucodonta bicoloria
Regionally Extinct Betula spp.

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 14 species from the description above: Allium ursinum, Betula pendula, Brachypodium pinnatum, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Ilex aquifolium, Mercurialis perennis, Poterium sanguisorba, Quercus robur, Sorbus aria, 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

W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub

Matches 5 species from the description above: Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Festuca rubra, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Mercurialis perennis

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

Matches 1 species from the description above: Festuca rubra

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