HERDINGS WOOD
SHEFFIELD

To download a map and trail leaflet of the Gleadless Valley woods click here.

Herdings Wood is a small and attractive woodland with a rich ground flora and a predominantly semi-natural character. It is one of seven Heritage Woodlands in the Gleadless Valley, which lies only 2 miles south-east of Sheffield city centre. Until its development as a residential district in the 1950's and 60's, this was a rural area consisting of hedge-lined fields, woodlands and scattered trees. The valley is still remarkable for the way in which a network of open spaces has been retained, both within the development, and between it and neighbouring built-up areas.

The woodland, which is split into two blocks joined by a narrow wooded strip, lies on a slope running down to the Meers Brook, the source of which lies at the edge of the site. The wood forms part of the network of woodlands and adjacent open meadows, which is such a characteristic feature of this part of Sheffield.

Herdings Wood is known to be an ancient woodland, that is one that dates back for at least the past 400 years. Documentary evidence shows the wood to have been in existence as long ago as 1462, when it was joined to nearby Rollestone Wood. The two woodlands are now separated by Herdings Meadows, an area of open grassland with wildflower meadow and some scrub, wet flushes and small plantations

There are no big blocks of planted non-native trees in Herdings Wood and as a result it has a relatively rich flora for its small size.

Other Heritage Woodlands in the Gleadless Valley:

• Buck Wood
• Carr, Ashes & Coneygree Woods
• Hang Bank Wood
• Lees Hall Wood
• Rollestone Wood
• The Lumb