[3][4][5][6] Historically the woodland was privately owned up until the 1950s when it was given to the then Willenhall Council to protect it from clay extraction.

First mentioned in the 12th Century as a royal hunting wood it stretched over a vast area taking in most of what is currently Walsall all the way to the woodland that is now known as Cannock Chase.

[3][1][2] The woodland resides on top of the Bentley Seam of coal which runs close to the surface of the ground.

It was previously exploited for coal resources which is evident by large sections having undulating surfaces caused by the sinking of bell pits.

[7] The site is encircled by the Woodlands housing estate to the north and west, by the M6 motorway to the east and by the Wyrley and Essington canal to the south and east.