[1] Its area is 101 hectares (250 acres), and there is a network of paths and rides, mainly on the western side.

[2] The eastern half of the reserve is ancient woodland, being at least 400 years old; it is thought that it has been wooded since the last Ice Age, about 10,000 years ago.

Some old and dead oak trees are left for hole-nesting birds, fungi and invertebrates.

[2] The western half has large areas of planted conifers, as well as broad-leaved trees; the conifers are gradually being replaced with native hardwoods, more suited to the local geology.

[2] The land caddis, rare in Britain, can be found in Chaddesley Woods.