Ancient Woodland

Ancient woodland covers the slopes of most of the Ironbridge Gorge, giving the area its very special character. Although often disturbed by past mining and quarrying, these woods stand on sites that have had a covering of trees for many hundreds of years. As a result, they often support rare and unusual plants and animals.

The woods, particularly at higher elevations, such as at Benthall Edge and Lloyds Coppice, are especially important because they are referred to as borderland woods, ones that mark the transition in species and character between lowland Britain and those of the uplands.

Care of these special places requires the Trust to implement planned programmes of thinning and small scale felling, at the same time as encouraging the growth of seedlings of native species such as oak and ash. In this way, mature woodland is maintained and a wide range of woodland plants, birds and other animals are catered for.