[4] The reserve is considered to be one of the most important sites for woodland conservation in the United Kingdom and lies on the southern side of a gorge formed by the winding River Wye.

[2] In response to criticism of its afforestation programmes in 1938, the Forestry Commission offered ecologists the opportunity to set up research reserves on its land.

With the support of Eustace Jones of the University of Oxford Forestry department, the only such reserve that was established in the UK was at Lady Park Wood.

In recent years the woodland has become overrun by fallow deer and grey squirrels — both non-native species — affecting the regrowth of its trees.

[1][2] The Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley are known areas for supporting the bat populations, and there are several Sites of Special Scientific Interest notified in England and in Wales for their protection.

[1][2] The Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Bat Sites (Safleoedd Ystlumod Dyffryn Gwy a Fforest y Ddena) are designated a Special Area of Conservation.