GEOLOGY
The three woodlands lie on bands of Lower Coal Measures sandstones dating from the Carboniferous period of geological history. At the lower end of Birkin Royd is a rock outcrop of particular geological interest, where impressions of prehistoric plants have been found in the sandstone.

LANDSCAPE
The woodlands lie on the top and westerly facing slopes of an escarpment, which overlooks the valley of the River Don. The three woodlands as a whole span a range of 150 metres in altitude, from very exposed ridge tops to a gorge-like stream course.

Wheata Wood is the highest of the three woodlands, reaching a maximum height of 300 metres above sea level. Many parts of the wood are almost flat although others slope slightly, mainly in a south-easterly direction.

The eastern edge of Prior Royd is also relatively flat. However, the majority of this woodland lies on the upper slopes of the Don Valley and as a result slopes quite steeply towards the west.

Birkin Royd occupies an extremely steep slope above the Sough Dike, the lowest point being at only 150 metres above sea level.

SOILS
The soils on which the woodlands are based are mainly acidic and poor in nutrients. Most of Wheata Wood has free-draining sandy soils, although there are two seasonally wet areas. The soils of Prior Royd are also generally free-draining although there is a line of springs, which feed a complex of small watercourses running into Sough Dike. There are also a number of wet nutrient-rich areas, known as flushes, on the steep slopes of Birkin Royd.

This clearing in the centre of Prior Royd provides an attractive view of the Upper Don Valley and of the moorlands above and beyond Stocksbridge.

VIEWPOINTS
Looking north-westwards from the short section of path between fields that connects the northern limb of Wheata Wood with the upper part of Prior Royd provides a clear view of a range of semi-natural and man-made vegetation types, including broadleaved woodland, coniferous forest, pasture, meadow, heathland and high moorlands.

A clearing in the centre of Prior Royd provides an excellent view south-westwards to Oughtibridge (in the valley bottom) and Worral (on the hill above). To the north-west can be seen the mixed conifer plantations of Wharncliffe Woods.

Points along the south-western edge of Prior Royd also give views into and beyond the Don Valley. The steeply sloping southern edge of this woodland provides clear views of the centre and north-western parts of Sheffield as well as to the eastern moorlands of the Peak District beyond. The south-east corner of this wood, on the other hand, provides views in the opposite direction, taking in parts of northern Sheffield,and, beyond the M1 motorway, of the Rotherham area.