The SSSI is rather interesting, as far as I remember it was given this for a plant growing on the pastures where the picnic tables use to be. This is now over run with weeds, brambles and godknows what else. I very much doubt if this could be contested that it would now get a SSSI status.
This site is the most important woodland for nature conservation on the southern parts of theMagnesian limestone in Great Britain and is the largest of its type in South Yorkshire. Thesemi-natural parts include examples of rare woodland types, notably calcareous sessile oakash-wych elm and sessile oak-ash-lime, and the structure approximates to a natural state whichis very rare indeed amongst lowland mixed broadleaf woods. Large-leaved lime is unusuallycommon and like other ancient semi-natural woods this site contains a range of natural soils.The main tree species are sessile oak, ash, lime (both small-leaved and large-leaved), wych elmand silver birch. Hazel, holly and yew are common in the understorey while less frequentlyoccurring shrubs include buckthorn Rhamnus catharticus, field maple, spindle, wild privet andwild service tree Sorbus torminalis.The field layer contains a number of species largely confined to ancient woodlands includinglily-of-the-valley Convallaria majalis, yellow star of Bethlehem Gagea lutea, green helleborineHelleborus viridis, toothwort Lathraea squamaria, hard shield fern Polystichum aculeatum andwood barley Hordelymus europaeus.In the valley bottom alder and willow carr is developing to replace marshy grassland and theswamp vegetation around the margins of Laughton Pond. Together with areas of calcareousgrassland and scrub on the northern most valley slopes of Norwood these habitats, althoughsubsidiary to the main woodland interest of the site, contribute significantly to the botanicaland entomological interest of the site as a whole.