Hat Gate

We bought this small section of dismantled railway in Marlborough from British Rail in 1988 for £1. It has a variety of common plants and birds such as whitethroat and garden warbler.

Location

Forest Rd

Marlborough

Wiltshire

SN8 4NG

OS Map Reference

SU212642

View on What3Words

hazel.relocated.defends

Know before you go

Size

1 hectare

Entry fee

Free

Parking information

Drive through Cadley and about 2.7 miles after the mini roundabout take turning on right signposted Wootton Rivers, Brimslade. Drive for 0.5 miles until you see a brick abutment. Immediately after this, park on right in lay-by.

Bicycle parking

None

Grazing animals

None

Access

Not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. Access to reserve is by steep steps on right from bridleway.

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 Pewsey Downs National Nature Reserve (5 miles), West Kennet Longbarrow (8 miles), Avebury (8 miles), Ludgershall Castle (8 miles).

About the reserve

We bought this small section of dismantled railway from British Rail in 1988 for £1. It comprises an embankment, the abutment of two railway bridges and a bridleway.

It has a variety of common plants and birds such as whitethroat and garden warbler. The grizzled skipper butterfly is attracted by its wild strawberries. You might spot a beetle with long antennae - the golden-bloomed grey longhorn beetle. Small areas of grassland contain eyebright, marjoram, black knapweed and fairy flax.