Cliffwood and the golden stairs
Cliffwood and the golden stairs were designated a SSSI (Site of
Special Scientific Interest) in 1962 and re-notified in 1983.
Cliffwood is a good example of lowland mixed woodland on
limestone with a canopy of ash, pedunculate oak, field maple, and
yew along with a variety of typical shrubs and wildflowers. The
wood is on a slope facing inland but the southern edge falls away
to a partially wooded limestone cliff.
Two really important and very unusual plants are purple gromwell and the
true service
tree.
Cliffwood has a designated right of way (Lover’s Lane). Another
right of way runs along the southern boundary and there are a
number of informal but well used tracks.
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larger map of Porthkerry