Galley Down Wood

Galley Down Wood (grid reference SU572190) is a 16.5 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Hampshire, notified in 1988.

The wood is a beech plantation on a chalk scarp slope and plateau. The plantation dates from the mid-twentieth century, and although originally under-planted with larch, this has now mostly been removed.

Although the ground flora largely consists of ivy (Hedera helix) and sanicle (Sanicula europaea), there are several other species present, including three scarce orchids: bird's-nest orchid (Neottia nidus-avis), white helleborine (Cephalanthera damasonium), fly orchid (Ophrys insectifera), greater butterfly orchid (Platanthera chlorantha) and sword-leaved helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia).