Wiltshire

Tom Ward

The county of Wiltshire in the south west of England, known for it's chalk downland and wide valleys. Due to Salisbury Plain being used as an army training ground, there is much less human presence, making it perfect habitat for many species that would try to avoid densely populated areas.

Featured Locations

Barbury Castle

An ancient hill fort situated on the Ridgeway, Barbury Castle is a brilliant location to walk the rolling hills of Wiltshire, just a short distance from Swindon.

Grassland
Hills

Barton Farm Country Park

Nestled between the River Avon and the Kennet and Avon Canal, Barton Farm Country Park is a perfect place for a walk along the river and spot the Kingfishers as they flash past.

River
Meadow

Cloatley Meadows

Made up from eight meadows, Cloatley in northern Wiltshire is a place for wildflowers such as vetchling, pignut, betony, heath spotted orchid, bee orchid, and the insects that live in this habitat.

Grassland
Meadow

Coate Water

Coate Water Country Park is man made reservoir on the outskirts of Swindon, Wiltshire. Both a leisure facility, and nature reserve, Coate Water is suitable for family activities, outdoor exercise and bird watching.

Lake
Woodland

Echo Lodge Meadows

These three meadows next to Webb's Wood in Wiltshire put on a wonderful wildflower display during the spring and summer months. Barn owls and ravens may be seen here.

Grassland
Woodland

Hagbourne Copse

A small woodland area amongst an industrial estate on the outskirts of Swindon, which bursts with colour as the blue bells bloom in late spring

Woodland

Langford Lakes

Sitting on the River Wylye, Langford Lakes Nature reserve is an ideal location to watch water birds, song birds, and raptors, and is home to around 150 different bird species.

Lake
River

Penn Wood

A former quarry and then landfill site, Penn Wood is being restored to a more natural environment, and is becoming a refuge for important species such as slow worms.

Lake
Grassland
Woodland

Webb's Wood

A commercial woodland managed by the Forestry Commission, Webb's Wood is great place for a walk among the trees.

Woodland

West Woods

Best known for it's blue bells, West Wood near the Wiltshire town of Marlborough puts on an incredible display with it's vast violet carpet in late spring.

Woodland

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Other Locations

Blakehill Farm

A former RAF air field that is being returned to a more natural hay meadow habitat. Blakehill Farm is home to nesting skylark, owls, roe deer and grass snakes.

Grassland
Meadow

The Devenish

Within hiking distance from the Wiltshire town of Salisbury, The Devenish reserve has a mix of young woodland, mature beech woodland, chalk downland and meadow, managed by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.

Woodland
Hills
Grassland
Meadow

Peatmoor Lagoon

Peatmoor Lagoon is a small lake within Swindon which is home to water fowl such as geese, swans, and even Kingfisher. There is also a substantial woodland section which is good for walks.

Lake
Woodland

RSPB Garston Wood

A small reserve managed by the RSPB, Garston Wood in the Cranbourne Chase AONB is an ancient woodland with a mix of scrub, high wood and coppiced land. You may see birds and insects, and possibly roe and fallow deer.

Woodland

RSPB Winterbourne Downs

Winterbourne Downs is a RSPB managed reserve, with grassland and meadow where stone-curlew, skylarks, lapwings, yellowhammers, linnets and grey partridges may be seen, as well as various butterfly species.

Grassland
Meadow

Savernake Forest

Just south of Marlborough, Savernake Forest is a large wood that is a Special Site of Scientific Interest, including one of the countries oldest trees. With plenty of easily accessible paths, it is an excellent destination for a woodland walk.

Woodland
Meadow

Shaw Forest Park

A small patch of woodland and open grass space located in the western part of the Wiltshire town of Swindon. A former landfill, Shaw Forest Park has been turned in to a place for nature to exist within an urban environment.

Woodland
Grassland