Great Wood and Dodd's Grove facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Essex |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 36.8 hectares |
| Notification | 1985 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Great Wood and Dodd's Grove is a special woodland area in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. It covers about 36.8 hectares, which is roughly the size of 50 football fields! This site is important for nature. It is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its amazing plants and wildlife.
It is also a Local Nature Reserve called Belfairs. The Essex Wildlife Trust helps look after this woodland. They work with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council to manage the area. There is even a Belfairs Woodland Centre for visitors to learn more.
What Makes This Woodland Special?
Great Wood and Dodd's Grove is a small part of a much older forest. This ancient forest was once called Hadleigh Great Wood. The trees here are mostly oak. They grow on different types of ground, including sand, gravel, and clay.
This woodland is one of the biggest areas of old forest left in the south of Essex. It has been managed for a long time using a method called coppicing. This means trees are cut back to ground level. New shoots then grow from the stump. This helps keep the woodland healthy.
Plants and Wildlife
The ground in the woodland is covered with plants like bramble and honeysuckle. These plants provide food and shelter for many animals. You might also find some rarer plants here. One example is the broad-leaved helleborine. This is a type of orchid that is not often seen.
The woodland is home to many different creatures. Birds, insects, and small mammals all live here. They depend on the ancient trees and plants for their survival.
Visiting Great Wood and Dodd's Grove
This special woodland is open for everyone to enjoy. It has several things to make your visit easy and fun. You can find toilets and a café on site. There are also trails that you can follow. These paths let you explore the woodland safely.
You can get into the woodland from Poors Lane. This road actually runs right through the middle of the site. It makes it easy to access and start your adventure.
