Both the Cliff and Woods are on Carboniferous Limestone and are on the east slopes of the Lower Wye Gorge which is also notified as an SSSI.

[1] Wye Valley Woodlands/ Coetiroedd Dyffryn Gwy are recognised as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the EU Habitats Directive.

Alder grows is the wetter soils near the River Wye (also notified as an SSSI) in Caswell Wood (Lynweir Grove).

There are springs on the lower slopes of Shorn Cliff Woods and other seepages in the area, and these provide opportunity for various plants to flourish which require this kind of habitat.

Martagon Lily is supported in adjacent woodland (Lippets Grove), which is a Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust nature reserve about half a mile south of Brockweir, and is leased from the Forestry Commission.