Visit a reserve Nature Reserves St Julian's Community Woodland Contents Location When to visit Know before you go About the nature reserve What to see Directions Reviews Location South Marston SN3 4AHWhat3Words: ///besotted.seriously.compliesOS map 169 SU191877 When to visit Free and open to visit 24 hours a day. Know before you go Surfaced paths but car park is gravel Dogs on leads are welcome 1.5 hectares Download the nature reserve leaflet About the nature reserve This small broadleaved wood in South Marston near Swindon has been newly planted and will reward regular visitors as it develops and matures. With plenty of potential to attract wildlife, who knows what may take up residence? With its light, airy feel it offers a pleasant walk along its perimeter path and is easy to walk to from the village. Look out for the brass rubbing posts, wildlife mosaic and special table and bench forged by a local blacksmith. The wood was transferred to our care by The Hills Group. It was officially opened in September 2011. We will manage the reserve for the first five years and then hand it over to a local community trust or group, working with them to draw up a plan. We are cutting the grass to encourage wildflowers, have dug a small pond and will thin the trees as they mature. What can be seen here? The wood is planted with a mix of oak, ash, spindle, wayfaring tree, wild cherry, hawthorn, hazel, alder, field maple. Its boundaries are marked by a stream and hedgerows. Already it is rich with insect life, especially butterflies including comma, speckled wood, ringlet, gatekeeper and small copper. Come at dusk and you might see noctule and pipistrelle bats hunting for their insect prey, and hear the rustle of fox and roe deer. Buzzard, magpies and gulls swoop in the air. How can I get here? Download directions Reviews: Great for a ten minute stroll or to sit down and rest. ~ Zeb from South Marston