Grid reference TL280043 Location map Magic Map Area of search Hertfordshire | Interest Biological Area 224 ha Notification 1985 | |
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Northaw great wood top 7 facts
Northaw Great Wood is a 223.6 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) near Cuffley in Hertfordshire. It covers Northaw Great Wood Country Park, which is managed by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, Well Wood, Justice Hill and Grimes Bottom. Part of the site is managed by Hertfordshire County Council as a schools' park. The country park is also a local nature reserve.
The wood was formerly part of a large area of common land in the parish of Northaw which was used for grazing livestock and gathering wood fuel. Closure of the canopy has led to the disappearance of open woodland birds such as nightingales and tree pipits, but the management plan for the wood aims to restore biodiversity. The site has one of the county's most extensive areas of ancient hornbeam woodland, with other trees including oak and silver birch. Glades, streams and springs add to the biodiversity.
There is access from the Ridgeway in Cuffley and facilities include a car park and toilets.