SSSI

In 1969, 107 hectares of Old Park & Chequers Wood were designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest on account of:

1) The site’s unusual habitat mosaic of acid grassland, ancient woodland, and dense scrub;

2) The site’s gravel terraces which contain artefacts providing a rare example of Acheulian culture over half a million years ago.

Since the original designation of the site as a SSSI (see PDF below), it has become clear that the extent of the site which is valuable for rare species of flora/fauna and/or important archaeological artefacts is much broader than the boundaries of the SSSI itself.

For more information on the habitats, flora and fauna, and also the archaeology of the site, see the relevant sections below.