Monkswood Reservoir, built in 1896 and now owned by Wessex Water, is situated in the valley of the SSSI.[2][3] The SSSI is woodland and grassland on the sloping land north and south of the reservoir and its tributary.[1]
The SSSI has four areas: Monk Woods, Hunterwick Wood & Hartley Wood, Frys Farm and Valley.[5]St. Catherine's Valley SSSI is immediately to the north-east.[6]