Oxhey Woods Local Nature Reserve is 97.7 hectares (240 acres) equivalent to 21 Wembley stadiums,of principally ancient semi-natural woodland, areas of which date back towards the last ice age some 10,000 years ago.

The woods having been well managed for timber with the practices of coppicing for charcoal and firewood as well as hurdles for fence making. A large Hornbeam coppice area is still evident today, the timber being very hard,  was used in the making of clogs for the local workers and cogs for the use in mills. Pollarding was also done to indicate woodland boundaries and provide wood pasture.

One of the more unusual trees is the Wild Service (AKA the chequers or beer tree) whose fruit was used to flavour beer before the introduction of hops. Bluebells, anemones, violets, gorse and heather are among the plants to be found. In 1979 a survey found 109 species of fungi. Woodpeckers are often heard and the holes they make can be seen on the dead standing trees. A common sight within the woods is Britain’s smallest bat the Pipistrelle.