St Julian's Community Woodland

St Julians nature reserve

St Julians nature reserve in Wiltshire. Credit: Ralph Harvey.

St Julian's Community Woodland

A small broadleaved wood in South Marston near Swindon.

Location

St Julian's Close
South Marston
Wiltshire
SN3 4AH

OS Map Reference

OS map 169 SU191877

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A static map of St Julian's Community Woodland

Know before you go

Size
2 hectares
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Entry fee

Free
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Parking information

Car park is in the far corner of St Julian's Close
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Bicycle parking

Yes, we have a bike stand.
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Grazing animals

None
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Access

Surfaced paths but car park is gravel. 

Dogs

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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 Lydiard Park and Mansion (6 miles), Great Coxwell Barn (6 miles), Cotswold Water Park (7 miles), Barbury Castle Country Park (8 miles).

About the 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.

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.

Contact us

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01380 725670

Map of St Julians

Map of St Julians
Great for a ten minute stroll or to sit down and rest.
Zeb from South Marston