The Firs

Fungi at The Firs

Fungi at The Firs nature reserve in Wiltshire. Credit: Barry Craske

Reserve closed for ash dieback works.

A pocket of secluded, peaceful woodland in the heart of what was once the Royal Forest of Braydon.

Location

Royal Wootton Bassett
Wiltshire
SN5 0AJ

OS Map Reference

OS map 169 Grid ref: SU047864

View on What3Words

A static map of The Firs

Know before you go

Size
11 hectares
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Entry fee

Free
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Parking information

From Royal Wootton Bassett, head along the B4042 towards Brinkworth. Take first right after motorway underpass to B4696, signposted Ashton Keynes and Cricklade. After 1.25 miles take the first turning left (Wood Lane). The Firs can be found on right.

Bicycle parking

Follow National Cycle Route 254, along Wood Lane. Where cycle route turns left onto Queen Street, continue on Wood Lane. Reserve entrance will be on left.

Grazing animals

None

Access

Can be very muddy after wet weather and isn't suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs.

Dogs

On a lead

See our FAQ's for more information

When to visit

Opening times

CURRENTLY CLOSED for reinstatement works following essential ash dieback felling.

Best time to visit

Spring and summer. Nearby attractions include Lydiard Park and Mansion (4 miles), North Meadow National Nature Reserve (6 miles), Cotswold Water Park (6 miles).

About the reserve

This reserve is currently CLOSED for reinstatement works following essential ash dieback felling. Please see the Ash Dieback Update section below for further details.

In this peaceful, secluded pocket of woodland in the heart of what was once the Royal Forest of Braydon you can enjoy a gentle half hour stroll along the circular woodland path and wander down the coppiced central ride (path) to the glade.

Wood anemones, primroses and bluebells herald the coming of spring while summer brings the pungent aroma of wild garlic, also known as ramsons. The bright crimson heads of ragged robin are speckled among them.

The Firs is situated on Oxford Clay and the ground is wet for much of the year Mosses and ferns thrive in these damp conditions. Dead wood is an important habitat in the reserve and birch stumps are especially important for mosses and bracket fungi. In autumn look for small puffball fungi on the ground. Insects and other invertebrates live on this dead wood, providing food for green and great spotted woodpeckers. Other birds you may see include tits and nuthatches. In the summer spot ringlet and meadow brown butterflies along the central ride.

A rare tree, the small-leaved lime, can be found on the southern boundary bank near the entrance and 200-year old oak pollards stand on the western hedgebank. The uncommon Midland hawthorn also grows in the wood. To create open spaces favoured by certain birds and insects we coppice some of the trees along the central ride in rotation. In the rest of the wood we occasionally thin canopy trees to allow oak and ash to grow as large standards.

Contact us

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01380 725670

Environmental designation

County Wildlife Site
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Ash dieback update

The Firs is currently closed to the public. For the safety of visitors to The Firs, Trust staff and contractors, we needed to remove the ash trees from this woodland, affecting all areas.

Following felling and timber extraction, the majority of the work has been completed. We need to replace the boardwalk and carry out final safety checks, after which we will open this reserve.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience. If you have any concerns or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at reserves@wiltshirewildlife.org.

Visit our Ash Dieback page to learn more about our approach towards Ash Dieback, which is affecting our woodland reserves.

Map of The Firs

Map of The Firs
A beautiful area to go for a walk, varied trees and plants to look at.
Phill from Swindon
Lovely circular walk to look at nature with small children. Wear your wellies!
Benjamin from Swindon