It was notified in 1984 under Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and the local planning authority is Central Bedfordshire Council.

[1][2] It is also a Local Nature Reserve, which extends to a larger area of 55.8 hectares.

[3][4] The site is ash and maple woodland on heavy clay, a habitat which has become scarce in lowland England.

It is an important site for butterflies, including the rare black hairstreak.

[1][3] There is access from a car park at Wood End,[3] and by footpaths from Cranfield and Marston Moretaine.