Short birdwatching visit · Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
Ravensroost Wood
- Tier
- Good stop nearby
- Best season
- Spring for woodpeckers; winter for Redwing and Nuthatch
- Headline birds
- Lesser Spotted Woodpecker · Great Spotted Woodpecker · Redwing
- Parking
- Car park CLOSED11 September–6 November 2026 for habitat management; check the operator notice before travel.
- Hides
- Not stated by the operator
- Step-free
- The Trust identifies only the surfaced central ride as suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Braydon, near Malmesbury · SN5 0AG
Ravensroost Wood adds a woodland birding stop to the Braydon area. The Trust names Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker in spring, with Redwing and Nuthatch in winter. Follow the surfaced central ride and the established smaller rides, giving birds room rather than searching for nesting holes. The adjoining meadows offer a contrast to the ancient woodland. A current management notice matters for planning: the car park is closed until 6 November 2026, although the Trust says the main track should remain unblocked. Check that notice before travelling and arrange a permitted alternative arrival.
Birds and seasons
- Lesser Spotted Woodpecker · Headline bird — Spring Source for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
- Great Spotted Woodpecker · Headline bird — Spring Source for Great Spotted Woodpecker
- Redwing · Headline bird — Winter Source for Redwing
- Nuthatch — Winter Source for Nuthatch
Plan your visit
- Hides and viewpoints
- Not stated by the operator – check before travelling
- Paths
- Surfaced central ride; other woodland paths can become very muddy.
- Toilets
- Not stated by the operator – check before travelling
- Parking
- Car park CLOSED11 September–6 November 2026 for habitat management; check the operator notice before travel.
- Dogs
- On a lead.
- Access notes
- The Trust identifies only the surfaced central ride as suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
- Step-free access
- The Trust identifies only the surfaced central ride as suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Getting there: The published grid reference SU024876 marks the reserve locality. The Trust lists cycle access from Wiltshire Cycleway Section13; do not assume the closed car park is available.
Sources
Nearby special trips
- Highnam Woods · 24.7 straight-line miles
- Snelsmore Common Country Park · 29.1 straight-line miles
- Greenham and Crookham Commons · 32.6 straight-line miles
Continue birding nearby
Nearest full guide: WWT Slimbridge, 21.5 miles away in a straight line.
- Lower Moor · 4.1 miles in a straight line
- Blakehill Farm including Stoke Common Meadow · 4.2 miles in a straight line
- Whelford Pools · 11.8 miles in a straight line