This steeply sloping woodland is principally secondary semi-natural growth, established since the 1934 OS. Previously the 'Brincliffe Edge Plantation' was established to the west of the present polygon and along the very top of this slope. Much of the area of this polygon was farmland until it was abandoned, at the time of conversion of land to the south to allotment gardens (c1934 OS). The Brincliffe Edge escarpment of 'Greenmoor Sandstone' aka 'Brincliffe Edge Rock' (OS geological survey map sheet 100) (part of which is marked by this area of woodland) is one of the principal physical features of this part of Sheffield (and has a long history of quarrying for the Coal Measure Sandstone from which it is formed. It forms the physical edge of the 'Nether Edge' district and allows views across to Beauchief and the Sheaf Valley. 'Brincliffe Edge Road', which runs along the top of the escarpment before turning sharply to the south at Archer Road, is almost probably an ancient way around the former fields to the south and is shown on the 1788 Fairbank Enclosure Award Plan and 1795 Fairbank plan of Sheffield. Fragmentary legibility of historic route, plantation, possible enclosure period walling and quarrying remains. The origin of the moorland landscape is uncertain though this area is likely to be moorland by the Roman period (see Bevan 2003 for discussion of environmental evidence).