Sarsgrove Wood

Also within

Oxfordshire County Cotswolds Scenic Area

Condition (Natural England)

Habitats

Ancient woodland, Coppiced woodland, Fast flowing river and stream

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Limestone

Landscape processes: Fluvial

Description

Area, 41.5 hectares 102.54 ac Description An outstandingly varied and largely ancient wood occupying the north and south facing flanks of a small valley on the eastern edge of the Cotswolds where few such sites remain. The geology is complex with clays, siltstones, limestone and grit providing a wide range of soil conditions. These are reflected in the variety of different types of woodland vegetation and the long list of plants indicating both historical continuity and sympathetic management. A stream with tributary runnels flows along the length of the site. On its narrow alluvial plain, base rich alder woodland occurs where alternate leaved golden saxifrage Chrysosplenium alternifolium is known in its only Oxfordshire locality. Poorly drained soils on the valley sides are dominated by stands of ash wych elm and wet ash maple in association with pendulous sedge Carex pendula, opposite leaved golden saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, nettle leaved bellflower Campanula trachelium and herb paris Paris quadrifolia, scaly male fern Dryopteris affinis and autumn crocus Colchicum autumnale. More freely drained areas support stands of ash maple and acid oak ash hazel, much of which has been managed as coppice with standards. Here the ground flora includes spectacular displays of early purple orchid Orchis mascula, primrose Primula vulgaris, bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, early dog and sweet violets Viola reichenbachiana and V. odorata and the uncommon narrow leaved everlasting pea Lathyrus sylvestris. The woodland structure is diverse due to regular management and provides habitats for a wide variety of mammal, bird and invertebrate species. In addition there is a system of rides, stone walls and old lake beds.

Species mentioned

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.

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