An extensive site encompassing the entire High Elms Estate, as well as Ramus Wood to the north-east. This large estate contains a mosaic of woodland, scrub and grassland over chalky soil, which in combination supports a particularly diverse collection of plants. The woodland, much of it ancient, is dominated by beech and ash together with a substantial exotic element of planted trees. There is free access to the whole site, but visitors are asked to keep to the edge of the golf course. Part of High Elms is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
High Elms
Borough: Bromley
Grade: Metropolitan
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 170.12 ha
Description
Wildlife
Many regionally uncommon woodland wildflowers are present, including green hellebore, spurge laurel, yellow bird's-nest, broad-leaved helleborine, and fly and bird's-nest orchids. The open grassland supports more uncommon plants, including the nationally scarce man orchid, as well as a large population of the nationally scarce Roman snail. The woodland supports one of London's few known populations of the declining and specially-protected common dormouse.Facilities
Information (at the Nature Centre, from which the Bromley Countryside Ranger Service operates); nature trails; picnic site.Guided walks, a Family Rambling Day and a Woodland Day are organised by the council Rangers.
Yellow bird’s-nest © Mike Waite
Common dormouse © John Robinson/CEC
Feedback
Have a question or a comment for this site, or notice anything missing or out of date? Please contact us.