Penn Wood

Penn Wood

Penn Wood nature reserve in Wiltshire. Credit: Eleanor Dodson

This nature reserve in Calne has seen many transformations in its history since it was farmland.

Location

Calne
Wiltshire
SN11 8RU

OS Map Reference

OS map 157 Grid ref: SU012728

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A static map of Penn Wood

Know before you go

Size
8 hectares
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Entry fee

Free
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Parking information

Turn into High Penn - a track leading uphill. Follow the track uphill to the car park.

Bicycle parking

None

Grazing animals

None

Access

Not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. 

Dogs

On a lead

See our FAQ's for more information

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

Spring and summer. Nearby attractions include Bowood House and Gardens (2 miles), Cherhill White Horse (5 miles), West Kennet Long Barrow (7 miles), Avebury (9 miles).

About the reserve

This nature reserve has seen many transformations in its history since it was farmland. It was bought by The Hills Group in the 1930s to be worked as a sand quarry and then used as an inert landfill site (holding materials such as bricks and rubble) until the 1950s. Following this it was restored to pasture for grazing livestock. In June 2003 we worked with Hills Homes to relocate 500 slow worms from Newcroft Garden allotments to Penn Wood to make way for a development.

Hibernation mounds and heat traps were created for the slow worms, along with two ponds for frogs and toads - this area is now well established. Grass snakes and southern marsh and common spotted orchids are also regularly seen.

In 2010 we supported The Hills Group and local people in planting some of the 10,000 young blackthorn, oak, ash, lime, black poplar, downy birch and a few Norway spruce and Scots pine trees that make up the wood. Scattered between the saplings are poles where kestrel, buzzard and owls can perch and some of them have bat boxes attached. Roe deer and badgers already use the site. Look up to see skylarks, lapwings and red kite.

At the entrance a wildflower meadow has been planted and will be cut annually for hay. This area will be monitored and further flower plugs will be planted if needed. A fishing club uses the private lake.

Contact us

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01380 725670

Environmental designation

County Wildlife Site

Map of Penn Wood

Map of Penn Wood
A hidden gem with really easy access to great walks that can be as short or as long as you want to make them.
Tom from Chippenham
Volunteer

Volunteer, Aline Denton, cuts brambles and blackthorn as part of the farm's conservation management - Ross Hoddinott/2020VISION

Volunteer at Penn Wood

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