briddlesford woods
Briddlesford Woods is the largest remaining block of ancient semi-natural woodland on the Isle of Wight and the trust bought the core part of this Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1991 with help from the National Heritage Memorial Fund. Two further purchases since then have greatly enlarged the reserve and its potential for nature conservation.
Briddlesford is one of the few places in the UK where endangered dormice and red squirrels can both be found. Two species of rare bat, barbastelles and Bechstein’s, also breed there and the woodlands have recently been
re-designated as both a SSSI and a Special Area for Conservation (SAC). This gives it the highest protection under EU legislation.
The site is also of interest for its invertebrate and plant life. One of the most important features of the woodland flora is the abundance of narrow-leaved lungwort. This species is restricted in Britain to ancient woodlands on the shores and tributaries of the Solent. The presence of these rare animals and plants constitutes an assemblage of species that is unique within the UK.
