Forge Valley Woods NNR
Forge Valley NNR flanks the steep east and west facing slopes of the Derwent river valley. It is one of the best examples of mixed deciduous woodland in north-east England.
County: North Yorkshire
Main habitats: Woodland
Area: 63 Ha
Site map: Nature on the Map
.
The woods are named after a forge that used to operate in the area. Traditionally the woods were coppiced to provide charcoal for the forge which processed ore from locally mined ironstone. The way marked geology trail follows a linear route throughout the woodland and valley base.
Download the Forge Valley Woods geology trail leaflet: (406kb)
.
The complex series of rocks and soils has given a sequence of woodland types occupying different levels of the valley sides.
Alder and willow predominate in the wet valley bottom, with a ground flora of golden saxifrage, yellow flag and pendulous sedge.
The middle slopes support a mixed canopy in which ash and wych elm are dominant. Sycamore is locally prevalent and there's an understorey of hazel, field maple, holly, bird cherry and spurge laurel. The rich soils support a diverse flora dominated by dog's mercury and ramsons. Sanicle, wood anemone and toothwort are also found, and there are several species of orchid, including early purple, broad-leaved helleborine and bird's-nest orchid.
At the top of the slope more acidic soils support pedunculate oak with rowan and holly.
The woodland supports a rich population of breeding birds, including nuthatch, treecreeper, garden warbler, wood warbler, redstart and black-cap, while the river is home to otter, trout and crayfish.
Location and access
The reserve is 5 km south east of Scarborough and 1 km north of the village of East Ayton.
East Ayton is on the A170 and the reserve is accessed via a minor road that runs north from the A170, across Irton Moor, to the village of Everley. There are five car parks along the length of this road within the NNR.
There is a mainline train station in Scarborough and there are bus services from the town to East Ayton. For details go to the Travel Search website, visit Yorkshire Travel, or telephone the Scarborough & District Travel Centre on 01723 507300.
Facilities
The nearest toilet and refreshment facilities are in Scarborough and local villages. There are picnic tables near the carparks on the site.
The site has a riverside bird feeding station and there are sign-posted riverside and woodland footpaths. A 1.5 km easy access riverside boardwalk is suitable for wheelchair users.
