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Gillsmithers Wood

✦ Ancient woodland16 ha

📷 N Chadwick · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

WildlifeSeasonalBirds
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome16 ha

Getting here

51.51520, -0.94066

Open directionsv
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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • ☀️June — canopy now fully closed, creating cool dappled shade even on warm days
  • 🐕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

9 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Pyramidal Orchid, Common Gromwell, Slender Mouse-tail Moss +51 more · last seen 2020

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker +22 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Woodpigeon, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker +22 more · last seen 2026

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Meadow Brown, Large White, Small Heath +74 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Meadow Brown, Large White, Small Heath +74 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

11 signed routes nearby · 9 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Oxfordshire WayWalking route110 km

a traverse of Oxfordshire from the Cotswolds to the Chilterns

Named routeRef OWLength 110 kmRegional walking route
The Chiltern Way Southern ExtensionWalking route

Long distance path

Named routeRef CWSRegional walking route
The Chiltern Way Berkshire LoopWalking route28 km

Long distance path

Named routeRef CWBLength 28 kmRegional walking route
European walking route E2 west, UK, South East EnglandWalking route

Westroute: Stranraer (UK) - Birminhgham (UK) - Calais (FR) - Zoersel (BE) / Eastroute: Stranraer (UK) - Harwich (UK) - Rotterdam (NL) - Zoersel (BE) / Both Routes: Zoersel (BE) - Maastrich (NL) - Luxembourg (LUX) - Lake Geneva (CH) - Nice (FR)

Named routeRef E2International walking route
The Wokingham WayWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
White Hillpublic footpath · 83 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 83 mPath type: service
🚴

Cycling

26 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
National Cycle Network Route 5Cycling route
Named routeRef 5National Cycle Network
Link to NCN 4Cycling route
Named routeRef NCN4 LinkLocal cycle route
Round Berkshire Cycle RouteCycling route
Named routeRegional cycle route
Reading R4Cycling route
Named routeRef R4Local cycle route
R40Cycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
National Cycle Network Route 5Cycling route
Named routeRef 5National Cycle Network
🚵

Mountain biking

2 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Judges' RideMountain bike route
Named route
King Alfred's WayMountain bike route

King Alfreds Way is 350km (220 miles) off road route designed to be ridden clockwise. It starts & ends in Winchester. It is suitable for gravel or cross-country bikes.

Named routeRegional cycle route
🐴

Horse riding

4 public paths nearby

Public paths
Kings Farm Lanerestricted byway · 640 m
Public pathrestricted bywayLength 640 mSurface pavedPath type: track
Bones Lanebridleway · 572 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 572 mSurface dirtPath type: bridleway

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Gillsmithers Wood

📷 N Chadwick · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Gillsmithers Wood

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

✦GREYS COURTHistoric site3.6 km→🌱Mill MeadowsUrban park3.6 km→🌱Cherry GardenUrban park3.4 km→🌱Rose GardenUrban park3.5 km→🌱White GardenUrban park3.5 km→🌱Station ParkUrban park3.5 km→

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