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BARLEY VALLEY

11 ha

📷 Derek Harper · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsDogs
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome11 ha

Getting here

50.72092, -3.55859

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • ☀️June — long evenings and clear skies; one of the most rewarding months for a late visit
  • 🐕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

Best for

9 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Robin, Mute Swan, Blackbird +56 more · last seen 2026; Nature reserve

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — nature reserve

Free

Forest walks

Nature reserve

Free

Seasonal nature

Nature reserve — seasonal wildlife and habitats

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Silver Fish, Psychoda sigma, Harlequin Ladybird · last seen 2026; Insects — Silver Fish, Psychoda sigma, Harlequin Ladybird · last seen 2026

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

15 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Two Counties WayWalking route90 km

A long distance walk of 56 miles (90km) from Taunton to Starcross on the Exe estuary.

Named routeRef TCWLength 90 kmRegional walking route
Exeter Green CircleWalking route
Named routeRef EGCLocal walking route
Exe Valley WayWalking route
Named routeRef EVWRegional walking route
Dunsford to Exeter WayWalking route
Named routeRef DEWRegional walking route
Pinhoe to Exeter WayWalking route
Named routeRef PEWLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

51 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Exeter LCN E1Cycling route
Named routeRef E1Local cycle route
Route E9Cycling route
Named routeRef E9Local cycle route
Exeter LCN E2Cycling route
Named routeRef E2Local cycle route
National Cycle Route 2 Axminster to DawlishCycling route
Named routeRef 2National Cycle Network
Exeter LCN E12Cycling route
Named routeRef E12Local cycle route
Exeter to Okehampton LinkCycling route
Named routeRegional cycle route
🐴

Horse riding

5 public paths nearby

Public paths
Bowhay Lanebridleway · 248 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 248 mSurface dirtPath type: track

About this nature reserve

Barley Valley is an 11-hectare Local Nature Reserve located in Exeter, South West, England. Visitors can explore a mix of woodland and marshland, rich in biodiversity, including streamside plants and diverse birdlife.

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Barley Valley Local Nature Reserve

📷 Derek Harper · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Barley Valley Local Nature Reserve

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Weather for this location

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Heavitree Pleasure GroundUrban park4.2 km→🌱Cowick Barton Playing FieldsUrban park1.6 km→🌱Cowick Barton Playing FieldsUrban park1.6 km→🌱Southernhay GreenUrban park2.2 km→🌱Heavitree Pleasure GroundUrban park4.2 km→🌱King George V Playing FieldsUrban park4.9 km→

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