GEOLOGY
Underlying the wood are layers of sandstone, coal seams, shales, siltstones and mudstones. These all form part of the Middle Coal Measures which were produced 280 to 350 million years ago during the Upper Carboniferous period of geological history.

LANDSCAPE
The northern and southern parts of Bowden Housteads Wood slope gently downhill from the south-east to north-west. The altitude of the site ranges from 75 metres to 125 metres above sea level. The adjoining areas of Spring Wood and Car Brook Ravine lie along a narrow, steep sided valley.

The Car Brook, which flows from south to north on the western edge of the woodland, is the main watercourse. This has a number of smaller tributaries which flow through the woodland from a south-east to north-west direction. Many of these smaller streams are often dry, especially in summer and after periods of dry weather. Their beds do however show clear evidence of the accelerated erosion which occurs during and after wet weather when normal rainfall is added to by run-off from the impervious tarmac of the Sheffield Parkway and other roads.

As well as the Car Brook, a number of smaller streams run through parts of the wood. This one, in the northern part of the wood shows evidence of accelerated erosion occuring as a result of runoff from the Sheffield Parkway.

SOILS
The soils of Bowden Housteads Wood are brown earths, some of which are acidic. Most of the soils are relatively dry although wetter areas occur in association with the streams, particularly in the Willow-dominated area in the north of the site.

VIEWPOINTS
The main viewpoints over the woodland are from:

• pedestrian bridges crossing the Sheffield Parkway and Mosborough Parkway.
• the public open space close to Bowden Wood Crescent on the north side of Sheffield Parkway.
• Car Brook Manor recreation ground and parts of Spring Wood to the south of the Sheffield Parkway.

As well as views across the wood, most of these viewpoints also give a clear view across the Lower Don Valley, taking in such features as steelworks, the Don Valley Stadium, Meadowhall, the Tinsley cooling towers and the area of Tinsley Park where opencast coal mining is currently taking place. Beyond the valley of the River Don can be seen Wincobank Hill.