There are tracks and rides giving access to most parts of the reserve. A large metal deer-fence gate gives access to some of the coppice areas. The second deer-fenced enclosure on the western slope is accessible via a wood bar gate at the top. Please be sure to replace the bars and close the gate when you leave.

Description

The name "Leeping" (pronounced Lepping locally) is said to mean "hedges that deer can leap over", while "stocks" refers to land with tree stumps left standing on it. The name of the reserve therefore indicates that it was once cleared woodland converted into hedged fields, while the lord of the manor retained his right to hunt deer. Today, the hedges made of laid Beech growing on low, crumbling stone walls still divide the area into about twelve compartments. In 1840 most of these were arable fields, all in separate ownership, but three were areas of ancient coppiced woodland. As elsewhere on the Doward, these fields gradually became neglected and went out of cultivation, to be colonised first by calcicolous scrub which in turn gave way to forest trees, mainly Beech and Ash. The underlying Carboniferous Limestone rock is rarely far from the surface anywhere in the reserve, and the thin base-rich soils support an unusually rich variety of both herbaceous plants and fungi (over 130 species of flowering plant and 90 species of fungi have been recorded).

In recent years, two large sections of scrub and secondary woodland in the southern part of the reserve have been coppiced and deer-fenced. These enclosures are particularly attractive in spring, with their large clumps of Primroses, Bluebells and Violets. Free from deer grazing, the coppice stools are showing strong regrowth and the whole area should prove increasingly attractive to butterflies. Many interesting flowering plants occur in the coppiced areas, including White and Broad-leaved Helleborines, Meadow Saffron and Greater Butterfly Orchid. The areas of ancient and secondary woodland in the northern half of the reserve also hold sheets of Bluebells and Wood Anemones in spring. These quiet woods are a favoured feeding area for small groups of Fallow Deer, and are also good for woodland birds like woodpeckers, Goldcrest and Marsh Tit.

In general, management aims to maintain the diversity of habitat and species in the reserve. Some thinning has taken place to allow light to reach the woodland floor and allow canopy crown development. Other areas are managed on a coppice rotation or are designated as non-intervention zones to be left to grow on into high forest. The rides and open areas are mown and cleared annually to prevent invasive bracken and bramble smothering the grasses and flowering plants.

Freehold purchased in 1975 with the aid of a generous gift from Mr. J.C. Cadbury, and grants from WWF and RSNC.

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