[1] It is part of a larger continuous area of woodland and parkland on the south side of Shooter's Hill: other parts are Jack Wood, Castle Wood (home to Severndroog Castle), Oxleas Meadows, Falconwood Field, Eltham Common and Eltham Park North (the latter being divided by the A2 main road from its southern section).

[2] In 1993 plans for an East London River Crossing that would have cut through Oxleas Wood were withdrawn following opposition from local residents.

This involved 2 public inquiries and PARC's complaint to the European Commission, reinforced by legal action in conjunction with Greenwich Council, which led to the abandonment of the road project.

[9][10] A larger area including Eltham Common is designated a Local Nature Reserve called Oxleas/Shooters Hill Woodlands.

Several streams begin within Oxleas Wood, the longest being the Wogebourne which eventually joins the River Thames after flowing 8 km (5.0 mi).