Foxley Wood

Foxley Wood is a Local Nature Reserve of 11.36 hectares in Purley, within the London Borough of Croydon. The land was bought by the local council in the 1930s under the Green Belt Act. Part of the woodland has survived since ancient times, while other areas are chalk grassland. The trees are mainly oak and ash, with sycamore and wild cherry. Beneath them grows hazel, dog’s mercury and wood millet. The site supports a wide range of wildlife. Over forty-five kinds of birds have been recorded, along with grasshoppers, butterflies, badgers and roe deer. The grassland hosts wood melick and other wildflowers. Insect life includes several butterfly species that rely on the chalky soil. The reserve’s mix of ancient trees and open grassland creates varied habitats. Visitors enter from Burwood Avenue, Northwood Avenue, Woodland Way or Higher Drive. Inside, paths wind through oak and ash stands, past hazel understorey and across chalk grassland. Signs of badgers and deer appear in footprints and tracks. Birdsong fills the air, especially from resident and visiting species. The reserve offers a quiet green space close to suburban streets.