About the reserve

Vincients Wood is a semi-natural broadleaved woodland on the western edge of Chippenham. A permissive route around the site crosses a medieval woodbank that divides the wood in two.

Parts of the reserve are ancient woodland, which means they have been continuously wooded since at least 1600AD, although some trees have historically been felled for timber. 

Following the necessary removal of ash trees infected with Ash Dieback disease in 2023, a mix of native trees including English oak, wild cherry and rowan, were replanted. A large glade and pond were also created to enhance the woodland habitat for wildlife.

In spring, wood anemones and bluebells blossom. Other ancient woodland indicators include bugle, enchanter’s nightshade and the ragged, imperfect flowers of the goldilocks buttercup. Comma, holly blue, peacock and speckled wood butterflies live here. Listen for the great spotted woodpecker drumming on tree trunks; other birds such as the blackcap, nuthatch, goldcrest and long-tailed tits prefer the sunny edges of the glades and rides.

Vincients Wood has a damp interior, where you may find many different varieties of fungi and plants. To provide good habitat for invertebrates and fungi we have left some felled timber on the woodland floor. A small number of ash trees with potential bat roost features were not felled. These will be monitored in the future and monolithed to create standing dead-wood features.