A–Z index:

Nature reserves

Nature reserves are an incredibly important resource. Not just for biodiversity, but as natural green spaces in and around our towns and villages.

They give local residents and visitors easy access to nature, and a chance to escape the urban environment. They also give people opportunities to study and learn about wildlife.

South Wiltshire has two local nature reserves:

Avon Valley

Avon Valley local nature reserve is located in the heart of Salisbury and is popular with walkers and cyclists all year round. It helps to link the city to open countryside in the north; footpaths run from the city centre through Avon Valley to Old Sarum and beyond.

What is so special about the Avon Valley?

The River Avon corridor is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The river corridor supports large numbers of wildfowl throughout the year. Marsh vegetation includes Yellow Flag, Lesser Pond Sedge and Common Reed.

In addition, the River Avon is a Special Area of Conservation, because of its internationally important wildlife. This includes the Bullhead Lamprey and Desmoulin's Whorl Snail.

The grasses and flowers on the Butts grassland support invertebrates including Meadow Grasshoppers, Bush Crickets and the Meadow Brown butterfly.

Getting there

The Avon Valley local nature reserve lies directly behind Five Rivers Leisure Centre, on Hulse Road, Salisbury. The reserve is located within 20 minutes easy walk of Salisbury's Bus and Train Stations. Parking is available at Five Rivers Leisure Centre.

You can also get to the River Avon pathway from Fisherton Street or The Maltings: Follow the signs north, away from the city centre.

Find Avon Valley on a map

What is there to do?

Try one of our circular walks. These are designed to help you get the most out of the nature reserve. The information boards near Five Rivers Leisure Centre will give you more details.

The Salisbury Wildlife Project, run by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, holds regular events on the reserve throughout the year. For further information visit the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust website at www.wiltshirewildlife.org

What can I do to help?

The 'Friends of the Avon Valley Reserve' group meet on a regular basis. You can find more information email: info@wiltshirewildlife.org

Bemerton Heath and Barnard's Folly

Bemerton and Barnard's Folly (The Folly) was officially designated a local nature reserve in July 2004. Its location in the middle of the Bemerton estate makes it a valuable area of natural green-space for local people.

The reserve is within easy walking distance of Bemerton Heath, and provides a tranquil space for local residents to enjoy.

What is special about Bemerton and Barnard's Folly Woodlands?

It is one of only two woodland sites within the city of Salisbury, so is important for our local biodiversity. It contains 16 tree species, 26 woodland bird species and 58 species of beetle. And we're still counting.

Getting there

The main footpaths into the reserve are from Pinewood Way, Barnard's Hill Drive, or the corner of Westwood Road/Folley View.

Find Bemertion Heath and Barnard's Folly local nature reserve on a map

Bemerton Heath is served by buses leaving the Market Square from Blue Boar Row every 10 minutes at peak times (Numbers 51,52,53,54).

There is limited public parking outside the Family Centre on Pinewood Way.

What can I do to help?

From October 2004 to April 2005, the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) will be running practical volunteer days at Barnard's Folly on the first Thursday of every month, between 10am and 4.30pm. Contact the Salisbury BTCV office on 01722 417 601 for more details.

For more information on the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, visit www.btcv.org.uk

You can also create or join your own 'Friends of The Folly' group. There are always jobs that need to be done on a local nature reserve, and a Friends Group can:

help with practical conservation tasks
influence the way the site is managed (for example, by reviewing and commenting on the management plan)
letting us know when problems occur
leading walks and giving talks

If you are interested in setting up or joining a 'Friends of The Folly' group, we would love to hear from you. You can email us at community_initiatives@salisbury.gov.uk. Or give us a call on 01722 434223.

Recording

If you have a keen eye for nature, let us know what you find. We always want to hear what kinds of birds, plants and animals you spot in the reserve. Send your records to:

Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Record Centre (WSBRC)
Elm Tree Court
Long Street
Devizes
Wiltshire
SN10 1NJ

Or visit the WSBRC website at www.wsbrc.org.uk for more information on how to record species data.