Clamp & Gallows Grove

Clamp Rough & Gallows Grove

The Woodland Trust Wood known as Clamp Rough and Gallows Grove, is in three sections which are separated from each other by a road and railway lines. It was purchased in the 1990's as a result of a public appeal initiated by Effingham Junction residents, but receiving much support from elsewhere.  The woods are easily accessed by and enjoyed mainly by many of the local residents. There are circular paths in the main two sections of the site, being those either side of the Cobham Road. A public path running into an unmade track (Banks Road) runs beside the other section that lies to the west of the Railway.  The woods effectively provide a definite geographical boundary to further northern local development. They are a permanent and important part of the Greater London Greenbelt.

Each of the three sections link with open space, woodland or farmland. The woods are an important part of the natural infrastructure of north Surrey linking with a variety of semi natural habitats. A botanical survey carried out in 1995 showed that the woods have considerable natural history importance and a brief update to this in 2002 shows that certain species like bluebells and lesser celandine are on the increase in Clamp Rough, whilst invasive species like sycamore and rhododendron are being eliminated.

Clamp Rough, the Ockham side of the woodland, has a mainly birch canopy with some oak, chestnut, field maple, rowan, wild cherry and holly in places, although enrichment planting and selection and protection of regenerated oak is leading to a gradual change in the canopy composition. The under storey is developing well, following removal of most of the rhododendron and the ground flora is now of increasing diversity.

The main part of Gallows Grove, the wood lying to the west of the Cobham Road, is mainly mature oak over hazel, holly and other native species. Other canopy species include crab apple, ash and lime. There is generally a dense, multi-aged and varied shrub layer - except in the north east, where a few Norway spruces remain from a former stocking scheme among native broadleaves. There are many old grips (drainage channels) evident in this area and two prominent earth banks. The line of one of these banks is traceable across the railway lines into the third section of the wood. This detached south eastern area of Gallows Grove runs between the Effingham Junction to Leatherhead railway line and Banks Lane/linking path with Howard Road. The eastern extreme end of this strip is of interest for its diverse and typical woodland flora including a very large old coppice stool of field maple.

Volunteer groups have played an important part in the Trust's management of these woods - particularly with the rhododendron and other alien species removal and with the planting and protection of young oaks.

Though not part of the Trusts woodland, the privately owned Slaters Oak Wood on the southeast side of Banks Lane offers access via a public footpath and links to a network of paths in the area.