It is run by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
It is ancient broadleaved woodland and is home to breeding pied flycatchers, redstarts, dippers and buzzards.
Public paths and trails are open from dawn to dusk.
The shortest, known as the Nixon trail is a 2.2 km circular walk which is suitable for pushchairs.
Both trails connect with longer distance footpaths leading off the reserve.