The woods are named after a forge that used to operate in the area. Traditionally the woods were coppiced to provide charcoal for the forge which processed ore from locally mined ironstone. The way marked geology trail follows a linear route throughout the woodland and valley base.
The complex series of rocks and soils has given a sequence of woodland types occupying different levels of the valley sides.
Alder and willow predominate in the wet valley bottom, with a ground flora of golden saxifrage, yellow flag and pendulous sedge.
The middle slopes support a mixed canopy in which ash and wych elm are dominant. Sycamore is locally prevalent and there's an understorey of hazel, field maple, holly, bird cherry and spurge laurel. The rich soils support a diverse flora dominated by dog's mercury and ramsons. Sanicle, wood anemone and toothwort are also found, and there are several species of orchid, including early purple, broad-leaved helleborine and bird's-nest orchid.
At the top of the slope more acidic soils support pedunculate oak with rowan and holly.
The woodland supports a rich population of breeding birds, including nuthatch, treecreeper, garden warbler, wood warbler, redstart and black-cap, while the river is home to otter, trout and crayfish.
Location and access The reserve is 5 km south east of Scarborough and 1 km north of the village of East Ayton.
East Ayton is on the A170 and the reserve is accessed via a minor road that runs north from the A170, across Irton Moor, to the village of Everley. There are five car parks along the length of this road within the NNR.