The wood is on a steep sided slope close to the historic county boundary and probably formerly part of more extensive woodland in Gleadless valley. The name is thought to derive from the steep slope (Jones 1989, 57). An archaeological survey recorded a range of features within the woodland including charcoal burning platforms and Q-Pits (NAA 2001, 22-26). These pits were used for the production of whitecoal- a fuel similar to charcoal used in lead smelting. Legibility is partial due to the surviving woodland and features within it.