Vincients Wood Nature Reserve
Vincient’s Wood is a patch of semi-natural broadleaved woodland, the southern parts of which date back to before 1600. Despite being recently surrounded by a bypass and houses, it is still a haven for wildlife and a valued green space for local people.
Wildlife
The most dominant trees are Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), Field Maple (Acer campestre) and Oak (Quercus robur), while the understorey has a variety of shrubs such as Hazel (Corylus avellana), Spindle (Euonymus europaeus) and the Wayfaring Tree (Viburnum lantana).
In March the wood is full of white Wood Anemones (Anemone nemorosa) followed by Bluebells (Hyacinthoides) in late spring. Then come the Early Purple Orchids (Orchis mascula) and Goldilocks Buttercups (Ranunculus auricomus).
The Great Spotted` Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) can be heard drumming on tree trunks while other birds such as the Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla), Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) and Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) prefer the sunny south edges of the wood.
Butterflies such as the Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) may be seen along the edges of the rides in summer. The Door Snail (Clausilia bidentata) makes its home in the wood – a good indicator of the site’s great age because the snails take a very long time to colonise an area.
Many species of fungus can be found in the dark interior such as the lilac coloured Blewits (Lepista nuda). The path follows a circular route and can be muddy after rain.
History and Management
Trees in the more recent northern section were felled for timber until the Second World War. When the war ended the wood was left to grow freely and became too overgrown and dark to allow wild flowers and insects to thrive. The Reserve was given to the Trust in 1990 and now volunteers run a coppicing programme between October and March to create small sunny areas within the wood that encourage flowers to grow, which attract butterflies and birds.
Other information
Dogs are allowed, but must be on a short leash at all times of year.
Best time to visit: Spring for woodland flowers. All year for woodland birds.
Habitat: Woodland
Specialities of the reserve: Spring woodland flora and common woodland birds.
Location: From Chippenham town centre head out on the Bristol Road. Turn into Hungerdown Road and at mini-roundabouts (near petrol station) turn into Frogwell. Take third left turn into Moss Mead. Bear right and follow road to dead end. Limited parking on road. Walk between bollards, across stream and grass strip. Entrance through kissing gates. Grid Reference ST898734.
