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Abbotscombe Wood

✦ Ancient woodland4 ha

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome4 ha

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦43+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Swift and Great Spotted Woodpecker
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 📍Open access throughout summer — no booking required

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
  • 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat

Best for

8 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Swift, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird +40 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland — woodpeckers, warblers and woodland birds

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Swift, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird +40 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland priority habitat

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Pyramidal Orchid, Bee Orchid, Field Wood-rush +37 more · last seen 2025; Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Meadow Brown, Large White, Gatekeeper +53 more · last seen 2024

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

5 signed routes nearby · 11 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Macmillan WayWalking route290 km
Named routeRef MWALength 290 kmListed length 461Regional walking route
Cotswold WayWalking route164 km
Named routeRef CWLength 164 kmNational walking route
Kennet and Avon Canal TrailWalking route140 km

Rivers linked by a canal. The name refers to the entire navigable length. From Bristol the way is the Avon. The canal is from Bath to Newbury. From there to Reading the way is the Kennet. 53 locks to Summit Pound (150 m asl) and 54 down to Reading.

Named routeRef K&ALength 140 kmRegional walking route
Bath Skyline WalkWalking route9.6 km

An elevated clockwise circular with panoramic views of the Bath landscape. The contrast of the city, so close to this rural haven, has earned the area World Heritage Site status. Roads, surfaced paths, steep hills, a rocky uneven section, steps & a stile.

Named routeRef BSLength 9.6 kmDuration 03:30-04:00Round tripLocal walking route
Limestone LinkWalking route58 km
Named routeRef LLLength 58 kmRegional walking route
🚴

Cycling

21 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
EuroVelo 2 - Capitals Route - part United Kingdom 4Cycling route
Named routeRef EV2International cycle route
Bath Two Tunnels CircuitCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
National Cycle Network Route 4Cycling route
Named routeRef 4National Cycle Network
Main RouteCycling route8 m
Named routeRef 4Length 8 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface bareearth
Main RouteCycling route385 m
Named routeRef 4Length 385 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
N/ACycling route146 m
Named routeLength 146 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedfirm

Wildlife to spot

Photos

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