Widbrook Wood

Dragonfly at Widbrook Wood

Dragonfly at Widbrook Wood nature reserve in Wiltshire. Credit: Ralph Harvey

Part of a large woodland complex on the River Avon and Kennet & Avon Canal.

Location

Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 9BL

OS Map Reference

OS Map 15 grid ref. ST848596

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A static map of Widbrook Wood

Know before you go

Size
16 hectares
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Entry fee

Free
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Parking information

No car park on site. You will need to park in the Canal Road Industrial Estate and walk to the canal path via Brick Lane. Once over the bridge, turn left. Reserve entrance is on the right after a short walk along the canal path.

Bicycle parking

Travel from either Trowbridge or Bradford on Avon along the towpath of the Kennet & Avon Canal.

Grazing animals

None

Access

Main access is from several points along the towpath of the Kennet & Avon Canal. There is no car parking on this site. The site can get boggy after wet weather making it more difficult for pushchairs and wheelchair users.

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.

About the reserve

Widbrook Wood is one of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's newest reserves, having it gifted by the Alex Moulton Charitable Trust in 2016. 

Widbrook Wood is a semi-natural woodland of 16 hectares. It is bordered on the south by the Kennet & Avon Canal and to the north of the River Avon. The River Biss flows through the south-eastern section of the wood and the Widbrook, from which it takes its name, flows through the west. 

Widbrook Wood forms part of a large woodland complex on the River Avon and Kennet & Avon Canal and includes a mixture of ash, cherry, poplar, willow and oak trees.

Over 40,000 trees have been planted with planting completed in 2000.

The woodland is host to a number of bird species. Near the water look for kingfisher and little grebe. Along the path edge, the scrubby woodland is habitat for migrating warblers such as whitethroat, blackcap and chiffchaff. During May, the woodland comes to life with an abundance of wildflowers. 

The edges of the woodland and the river banks are very open and different butterfly species can be found including peacock, comma and speckled wood. Damselflies are also present on the riverbank including the banded demoiselle.

Contact us

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01380 725670

Environmental designation

County Wildlife Site

Map of Widbrook Wood

Map of Widbrook Wood
Brilliant place for a ramble walking the dog or just taking the air.
Geoff from Trowbridge
Volunteer

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

Volunteer at Widbrook Wood

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