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Special Areas of Conservation

Hartslock Wood

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country England
Unitary Authority Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Centroid* SU619789
Latitude 51.50583333
Longitude -1.1075
SAC EU Code UK0030164
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 34.16
* This is the approximate central point of the SAC. In the case of large, linear or composite sites, this may not represent the location where a feature occurs within the SAC.
Location of Hartslock Wood SAC

General site character

  • Dry grassland, Steppes (13%)
  • Mixed woodland (87%)

Download the Standard Data Form for this site (PDF <100kb)

Note When undertaking an appropriate assessment of impacts at a site, all features of European importance (both primary and non-primary) need to be considered.

Annex I habitats that are a primary reason for selection of this site

  • 6210 Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (* important orchid sites)

    This site hosts the priority habitat type "orchid rich sites". The steep slopes of this site on the chalk of the Chilterns comprise a mosaic of chalk grassland, chalk scrub and broadleaved woodland. The chalk grassland mostly consists of a mosaic of shorter-turf NVC type CG2 Festuca ovina–Avenula pratensis grassland and taller CG3 Bromus erectus grassland. The site supports one of only three UK populations of monkey orchid Orchis simia, a nationally rare Red Data Book species.

  • 91J0 Taxus baccata woods of the British Isles  * Priority feature

    The bulk of this site lies on a steep slope above the River Thames. Recent storms and landslips have resulted in a diverse age-structure for the yew population. Open patches show a rich flora including local species such as southern wood-rush Luzula forsteri, wood barley Hordelymus europaeus and narrow-lipped helleborine Epipactis leptochila.

Annex I habitats present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for selection of this site

  • Not Applicable

Annex II species that are a primary reason for selection of this site

  • Not Applicable

Annex II species present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for site selection

  • Not Applicable

Many designated sites are on private land: the listing of a site in these pages does not imply any right of public access.