Black Down Wood
✦ Ancient woodland15 ha
Plan your visit
🦅Birds🌳Ancient🦉Wildlife
Free entryDogs welcome15 ha
Getting here
51.14608, -3.33229
Open directionsv
Visiting this summer
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
- 🐦61+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Robin and Dipper
- 🌳Ancient woodland is at its best in summer here
- 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days
🌤️ Visiting this summer
- 🐦61+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Robin and Dipper
- 🌳Ancient woodland is at its best in summer here
- 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days
Best for
9 activities🦅Bird watching
Very strong match
Birds — Robin, Dipper, Greenfinch +58 more · last seen 2026; Ancient woodland — owls, woodpeckers, warblers
🌳Ancient woodland
Very strong match
Ancient woodland — continuous woodland since before 1600
Birds — Robin, Dipper, Greenfinch +58 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland priority habitat
💜Bluebell walks
Strong match
Ancient woodland — native bluebell habitat
🦋Insect spotting
Strong match
Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Beautiful Demoiselle, Marmalade Hoverfly +118 more · last seen 2026; Semi-improved grassland — butterflies and wildflowers
🍂Seasonal nature
Strong match
Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km4 signed routes nearby · 8 public paths nearby
Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Quantock GreenwayWalking route62.5 km▾
Named routeLength 62.5 kmLocal walking route
Monk's Path to Home Farm Blue AnchorWalking route▾
Named routeRef MPBALocal walking route
King Charles III England Coast Path: Brean Down to MineheadWalking route▾
Named routeRef ECPNational walking route
Coleridge WayWalking route82 km▾
Named routeRef CWLength 82 kmRegional walking route
1 signed route nearby
Signed route nearby
Steam Coast TrailCycling route▾
Named routeLocal cycle route
Photos
15 photos from nearby open sources
Permissive path alongside Black Down Wood
Photos
Permissive path alongside Black Down Wood
✦ AncientFree entry🐶 Dogs
Good to know
- £Free to visit — no entry charge
- 🐕Dogs welcome
- 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat
Weather for this location
Next 14 daysNearby places
Useful places within 5 km
Wildlife to spot
5,186 records from NBN Atlas
Wildlife to spot
5,186 records · NBN Atlas🐦Birds61 species
springsummer
2026Robin · Dipper · Greenfinch · House Sparrow · Blackbird
+56 more speciesHide species list
All 61 birds recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
- RobinErithacus rubecula2025
- DipperCinclus cinclus2025
- GreenfinchChloris chloris2025
- House SparrowPasser domesticus2025
- BlackbirdTurdus merula2025
- DunnockPrunella modularis2025
- GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2025
- ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2025
- WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2025
- Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2025
- House MartinDelichon urbicum2025
- Great TitParus major2025
- SwiftApus apus2025
- Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2024
- WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2025
- StarlingSturnus vulgaris2025
- SwallowHirundo rustica2024
- Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2025
- Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2025
- JackdawColoeus monedula2025
- SiskinSpinus spinus2024
- Carrion CrowCorvus corone2025
- Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2025
- RedwingTurdus iliacus2025
- Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2024
- GoldcrestRegulus regulus
- KingfisherAlcedo atthis2025
- PheasantPhasianus colchicus2025
- Green WoodpeckerPicus viridis2025
- RookCorvus frugilegus2025
- BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula2025
- Pied WagtailMotacilla alba2024
- BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2025
- Coal TitPeriparus ater2025
- FieldfareTurdus pilaris2025
- MagpiePica pica2025
- ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2025
- Herring GullLarus argentatus2025
- KestrelFalco tinnunculus2025
- TreecreeperCerthia familiaris2025
- MallardAnas platyrhynchos
- Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufa2025
- Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2025
- LinnetLinaria cannabina2025
- NuthatchSitta europaea2025
- Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2025
- British DipperCinclus cinclus gularis2024
- Tawny OwlStrix aluco2023
- Grey HeronArdea cinerea2025
- Little EgretEgretta garzetta2025
- Turdus merula merulaTurdus merula merula2025
- YellowhammerEmberiza citrinella2025
- JayGarrulus glandarius2025
- SkylarkAlauda arvensis2025
- Canada GooseBranta canadensis2025
- RavenCorvus corax2025
- Barn OwlTyto alba2024
- WaxwingBombycilla garrulus2023
- Sturnus vulgaris vulgarisSturnus vulgaris vulgaris2023
- SnipeGallinago gallinago2023
- LapwingVanellus vanellus2022
🦌Mammals5 species
winterspringsummer
2025Hedgehog · Hazel Dormouse · Grey Squirrel · Rabbit · Wood Mouse
🐸Amphibians4 species
winter
2026Common Frog · Common Toad · Smooth Newt · frogs and toads
🐝Insects121 species
summerautumn
20267-spot Ladybird · Beautiful Demoiselle · Marmalade Hoverfly · Eristalis tenax · Eristalis pertinax
+116 more speciesHide species list
All 121 insects recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
- 7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
- Beautiful DemoiselleCalopteryx virgo2025
- Marmalade HoverflyEpisyrphus balteatus
- Eristalis tenaxEristalis tenax
- Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax
Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Wildlife to spot
5,186 records · NBN Atlas🐦Birds61 species
springsummer
2026Robin · Dipper · Greenfinch · House Sparrow · Blackbird
+56 more speciesHide species list
All 61 birds recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
- RobinErithacus rubecula2025
- DipperCinclus cinclus2025
- GreenfinchChloris chloris2025
- House SparrowPasser domesticus2025
- BlackbirdTurdus merula2025
- DunnockPrunella modularis2025
- GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2025
- ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2025
- WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2025
- Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2025
- House MartinDelichon urbicum2025
- Great TitParus major2025
- SwiftApus apus2025
- Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2024
- WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2025
- StarlingSturnus vulgaris2025
- SwallowHirundo rustica2024
- Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2025
- Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2025
- JackdawColoeus monedula2025
- SiskinSpinus spinus2024
- Carrion CrowCorvus corone2025
- Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2025
- RedwingTurdus iliacus2025
- Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2024
- GoldcrestRegulus regulus
- KingfisherAlcedo atthis2025
- PheasantPhasianus colchicus2025
- Green WoodpeckerPicus viridis2025
- RookCorvus frugilegus2025
- BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula2025
- Pied WagtailMotacilla alba2024
- BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2025
- Coal TitPeriparus ater2025
- FieldfareTurdus pilaris2025
- MagpiePica pica2025
- ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2025
- Herring GullLarus argentatus2025
- KestrelFalco tinnunculus2025
- TreecreeperCerthia familiaris2025
- MallardAnas platyrhynchos
- Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufa2025
- Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2025
- LinnetLinaria cannabina2025
- NuthatchSitta europaea2025
- Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2025
- British DipperCinclus cinclus gularis2024
- Tawny OwlStrix aluco2023
- Grey HeronArdea cinerea2025
- Little EgretEgretta garzetta2025
- Turdus merula merulaTurdus merula merula2025
- YellowhammerEmberiza citrinella2025
- JayGarrulus glandarius2025
- SkylarkAlauda arvensis2025
- Canada GooseBranta canadensis2025
- RavenCorvus corax2025
- Barn OwlTyto alba2024
- WaxwingBombycilla garrulus2023
- Sturnus vulgaris vulgarisSturnus vulgaris vulgaris2023
- SnipeGallinago gallinago2023
- LapwingVanellus vanellus2022
🦌Mammals5 species
winterspringsummer
2025Hedgehog · Hazel Dormouse · Grey Squirrel · Rabbit · Wood Mouse
🐸Amphibians4 species
winter
2026Common Frog · Common Toad · Smooth Newt · frogs and toads
🐝Insects121 species
summerautumn
20267-spot Ladybird · Beautiful Demoiselle · Marmalade Hoverfly · Eristalis tenax · Eristalis pertinax
+116 more speciesHide species list
All 121 insects recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
- 7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
- Beautiful DemoiselleCalopteryx virgo2025
- Marmalade HoverflyEpisyrphus balteatus
- Eristalis tenaxEristalis tenax
- Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax
Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Dock Bug
Dock Bug
Coreus marginatus2025
Coreus marginatus2025
Batman HoverflyMyathropa florea2025Batman HoverflyMyathropa florea2025SyrphusSyrphus2025SyrphusSyrphus2025Southern HawkerAeshna cyanea2025Southern HawkerAeshna cyanea2025Scathophaga stercorariaScathophaga stercorariaScathophaga stercorariaScathophaga stercorariaGreen ShieldbugPalomena prasina2025Green ShieldbugPalomena prasina2025Swollen-thighed BeetleOedemera nobilis2025Swollen-thighed BeetleOedemera nobilis2025Platycheirus albimanusPlatycheirus albimanus2025Platycheirus albimanusPlatycheirus albimanus2025Hornet HoverflyVolucella zonaria2025Hornet HoverflyVolucella zonaria2025Alder Leaf BeetleAgelastica alni2025Alder Leaf BeetleAgelastica alni2025Red Mason BeeOsmia bicornis2025Red Mason BeeOsmia bicornis2025Western Honey BeeApis mellifera2025Western Honey BeeApis mellifera2025EupeodesEupeodes2025EupeodesEupeodes2025Cuckoo-Spit InsectPhilaenus spumarius2025Cuckoo-Spit InsectPhilaenus spumarius2025Harlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridis2024Harlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridis2024Dark-edged Bee-flyBombylius majorDark-edged Bee-flyBombylius majorMeliscaeva auricollisMeliscaeva auricollisMeliscaeva auricollisMeliscaeva auricollisScaeva pyrastriScaeva pyrastri2025Scaeva pyrastriScaeva pyrastri20252-spot LadybirdAdalia bipunctata20252-spot LadybirdAdalia bipunctata2025Ivy BeeColletes hederae2024Ivy BeeColletes hederae202414-spot LadybirdPropylea quattuordecimpunctata14-spot LadybirdPropylea quattuordecimpunctataCommon DarterSympetrum striolatum2025Common DarterSympetrum striolatum2025Greater Bulb-FlyMerodon equestris2025Greater Bulb-FlyMerodon equestris2025Dotted Bee-flyBombylius discolorDotted Bee-flyBombylius discolorHelophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulus2025Helophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulus2025Common Blue DamselflyEnallagma cyathigerum2025Common Blue DamselflyEnallagma cyathigerum2025Dolichovespula mediaDolichovespula media2025Dolichovespula mediaDolichovespula media2025Garden ChaferPhyllopertha horticola2025Garden ChaferPhyllopertha horticola2025River SkaterAquarius najas2025River SkaterAquarius najas2025Eristalis arbustorumEristalis arbustorum2025Eristalis arbustorumEristalis arbustorum2025Syritta pipiensSyritta pipiens2025Syritta pipiensSyritta pipiens2025Oak Bush-cricketMeconema thalassinum2025Oak Bush-cricketMeconema thalassinum2025Golden-ringed DragonflyCordulegaster boltonii2025Golden-ringed DragonflyCordulegaster boltonii2025Eupeodes lunigerEupeodes luniger2025Eupeodes lunigerEupeodes luniger2025Syrphus ribesiiSyrphus ribesii2025Syrphus ribesiiSyrphus ribesii2025EristalisEristalis2025EristalisEristalis2025Eupeodes corollaeEupeodes corollae2025Eupeodes corollaeEupeodes corollae2025Volucella pellucensVolucella pellucens2025Volucella pellucensVolucella pellucens2025Speckled Bush-cricketLeptophyes punctatissima2025Speckled Bush-cricketLeptophyes punctatissima2025Xylota segnisXylota segnis2025Xylota segnisXylota segnis2025HornetVespa crabro2025HornetVespa crabro202510-spot LadybirdAdalia decempunctata202510-spot LadybirdAdalia decempunctata2025Hawthorn ShieldbugAcanthosoma haemorrhoidale2024Hawthorn ShieldbugAcanthosoma haemorrhoidale2024Field GrasshopperChorthippus brunneus2024Field GrasshopperChorthippus brunneus2024Liocoris tripustulatusLiocoris tripustulatus2024Liocoris tripustulatusLiocoris tripustulatus2024Deraeocoris (Deraeocoris) ruberDeraeocoris (Deraeocoris) ruber2024Deraeocoris (Deraeocoris) ruberDeraeocoris (Deraeocoris) ruber2024Hairy-footed Flower BeeAnthophora plumipes2024Hairy-footed Flower BeeAnthophora plumipes2024Hairy ShieldbugDolycoris baccarum2025Hairy ShieldbugDolycoris baccarum202522-spot LadybirdPsyllobora vigintiduopunctata202522-spot LadybirdPsyllobora vigintiduopunctata2025Parent BugElasmucha grisea2025Parent BugElasmucha grisea2025Xanthogramma pedissequumXanthogramma pedissequum2025Xanthogramma pedissequumXanthogramma pedissequum2025Cantharis rusticaCantharis rustica2025Cantharis rusticaCantharis rustica2025Trioza centranthiTrioza centranthi2024Trioza centranthiTrioza centranthi2024Migrant HawkerAeshna mixta2024Migrant HawkerAeshna mixta2024MelanostomaMelanostoma2024MelanostomaMelanostoma2024Figwort SawflyTenthredo scrophulariae2024Figwort SawflyTenthredo scrophulariae2024Broad CenturionChloromyia formosa2024Broad CenturionChloromyia formosa2024Banded DemoiselleCalopteryx splendens2024Banded DemoiselleCalopteryx splendens2024Lagria hirtaLagria hirta2024Lagria hirtaLagria hirta2024Red-headed Cardinal BeetlePyrochroa serraticornis2024Red-headed Cardinal BeetlePyrochroa serraticornis2024Thistle Tortoise BeetleCassida rubiginosa2024Thistle Tortoise BeetleCassida rubiginosa2024Sphaerophoria scriptaSphaerophoria scripta2023Sphaerophoria scriptaSphaerophoria scripta2023Harmonia axyridis form succineaHarmonia axyridis form succinea2023Harmonia axyridis form succineaHarmonia axyridis form succinea2023Common Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulva2023Common Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulva2023Ring-legged EarwigEuborellia annulipes2023Ring-legged EarwigEuborellia annulipes2023Wasp BeetleClytus arietis2023Wasp BeetleClytus arietis2023ScathophagaScathophaga2025ScathophagaScathophaga2025Dryomyza anilisDryomyza anilis2025Dryomyza anilisDryomyza anilis2025PondskaterGerridae2025PondskaterGerridae2025Thricops diaphanusThricops diaphanus2025Thricops diaphanusThricops diaphanus2025Eupeodes latifasciatusEupeodes latifasciatus2025Eupeodes latifasciatusEupeodes latifasciatus2025Rhopalus (Rhopalus) subrufusRhopalus (Rhopalus) subrufus2025Rhopalus (Rhopalus) subrufusRhopalus (Rhopalus) subrufus2025Dasysyrphus albostriatusDasysyrphus albostriatus2025Dasysyrphus albostriatusDasysyrphus albostriatus2025Volucella inanisVolucella inanis2025Volucella inanisVolucella inanis2025Chrysotoxum bicinctumChrysotoxum bicinctum2025Chrysotoxum bicinctumChrysotoxum bicinctum2025Black ClockPterostichus madidus2025Black ClockPterostichus madidus2025EumerusEumerus2025EumerusEumerus2025Marsh SnipeflyRhagio tringarius2025Marsh SnipeflyRhagio tringarius2025Epistrophe grossulariaeEpistrophe grossulariae2025Epistrophe grossulariaeEpistrophe grossulariae2025Iris WeevilMononychus punctumalbum2025Iris WeevilMononychus punctumalbum202516-spot LadybirdTytthaspis sedecimpunctata202516-spot LadybirdTytthaspis sedecimpunctata2025Pine LadybirdExochomus quadripustulatus2025Pine LadybirdExochomus quadripustulatus2025Harpalus affinisHarpalus affinis2025Harpalus affinisHarpalus affinis2025Heather BeetleLochmaea suturalis2025Heather BeetleLochmaea suturalis2025Pea-leaf WeevilSitona lineatus2025Pea-leaf WeevilSitona lineatus2025LeuctraLeuctra2024LeuctraLeuctra2024Southern Oak Bush-cricketMeconema meridionale2024Southern Oak Bush-cricketMeconema meridionale2024Box BugGonocerus acuteangulatus2024Box BugGonocerus acuteangulatus2024Rhingia campestrisRhingia campestris2024Rhingia campestrisRhingia campestris2024Baccha elongataBaccha elongata2024Baccha elongataBaccha elongata2024Red-legged ShieldbugPentatoma rufipes2024Red-legged ShieldbugPentatoma rufipes2024Liorhyssus hyalinusLiorhyssus hyalinus2024Liorhyssus hyalinusLiorhyssus hyalinus2024Shady TigressAthalia lugens2024Shady TigressAthalia lugens2024Four-barred MajorOxycera rara2024Four-barred MajorOxycera rara2024Potato CapsidClosterotomus norwegicus2024Potato CapsidClosterotomus norwegicus2024Lily BeetleLilioceris lilii2024Lily BeetleLilioceris lilii2024Elder AphidAphis (Aphis) sambuci2024Elder AphidAphis (Aphis) sambuci2024Eudasyphora cyanellaEudasyphora cyanella2024Eudasyphora cyanellaEudasyphora cyanella2024Broad-bodied ChaserLibellula depressa2024Broad-bodied ChaserLibellula depressa2024Malachite BeetleMalachius bipustulatus2024Malachite BeetleMalachius bipustulatus2024Melanostoma scalareMelanostoma scalare2024Melanostoma scalareMelanostoma scalare2024HoverflySyrphidae2024HoverflySyrphidae2024Orange LadybirdHalyzia sedecimguttata2024Orange LadybirdHalyzia sedecimguttata2024Minettia inustaMinettia inusta2023Minettia inustaMinettia inusta2023Corizus hyoscyamiCorizus hyoscyami2023Corizus hyoscyamiCorizus hyoscyami2023Nephrotoma flavipalpisNephrotoma flavipalpis2023Nephrotoma flavipalpisNephrotoma flavipalpis2023Small Black AntLasius niger2023Small Black AntLasius niger2023Kite-tailed RobberflyMachimus atricapillus2023Kite-tailed RobberflyMachimus atricapillus2023Plagiognathus (Plagiognathus) arbustorumPlagiognathus (Plagiognathus) arbustorum2023Plagiognathus (Plagiognathus) arbustorumPlagiognathus (Plagiognathus) arbustorum2023Wool Carder BeeAnthidium manicatum2023Wool Carder BeeAnthidium manicatum2023Heterotoma planicornisHeterotoma planicornis2023Heterotoma planicornisHeterotoma planicornis2023Azure DamselflyCoenagrion puella2023Azure DamselflyCoenagrion puella2023Ctenophora pectinicornisCtenophora pectinicornis2023Ctenophora pectinicornisCtenophora pectinicornis2023Blue-winged OliveSerratella ignita2023Blue-winged OliveSerratella ignita2023Yellow Meadow AntLasius flavus2023Yellow Meadow AntLasius flavus2023PlatycheirusPlatycheirus2023PlatycheirusPlatycheirus2023Events & activities nearby
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