Horsehouse Brake ✦ Ancient woodland 8 ha
Plan your visit
🦉 Wildlife🦅 Birds🦋 Insects
Public access Free entry Dogs welcome 8 ha
Places › England › South West › Bath and North East Somerset Getting here
51.42026, -2.35063
Open directionsv Visiting this summer
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
▾ 🌞 Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings 🐕 Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails 🅿️ Parking 235m away — 4 car parks within reach 🌤️ Visiting this summer
🌞 Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings 🐕 Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails 🅿️ Parking 235m away — 4 car parks within reach £ Free to visit — no entry charge🐕 Dogs welcome🌿 Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat🦉 Wildlife
Very strong match
Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals
Free
🦅 Bird watching
Very strong match
Birds — Robin, Goldfinch, Blackbird +56 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Robin, Goldfinch, Blackbird +56 more · last seen 2025
Free
🦋 Insect spotting
Strong match
Chalk and limestone grassland — chalkhill blue, adonis blue and rare moths; Insects — Myrmica scabrinodis, Myrmica sabuleti, Lasius alienus +216 more · last seen 2026
Free
🍂 Seasonal nature
Strong match
Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Rambling Tail-moss, Nettle-leaved Bellflower, Lady's Bedstraw +7 more · last seen 2025
Free
Dogs allowed — public woodland
Free
Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic
Varies
Trails nearby Within roughly 5 km 6 signed routes nearby · 36 public paths nearby
Signed route nearby Public paths
Monarch's Way Walking route 990 km ▾
approximate route of Charles II's escape
Named route Ref MW Length 990 km Regional walking route
Show on map Cotswold Way Walking route 164 km ▾
Named route Ref CW Length 164 km National walking route
Show on map Kennet and Avon Canal Trail Walking route 140 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 route Ref K&A Length 140 km Regional walking route
Show on map Bath Skyline Walk Walking route 9.6 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 route Ref BS Length 9.6 km Duration 03:30-04:00 Round trip Local walking route
Show on map Limestone Link Walking route 58 km ▾
Named route Ref LL Length 58 km Regional walking route
Show on map 83 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Bristol & Bath Railway Path Cycling route ▾
Named route Ref B&BRP Local cycle route
Show on map EuroVelo 2 - Capitals Route - part United Kingdom 4 Cycling route ▾
Named route Ref EV2 International cycle route
Show on map Bath Two Tunnels Circuit Cycling route ▾
Named route Local cycle route
Show on map EuroVelo 2 - Capitals Route - part United Kingdom 3 Cycling route ▾
Named route Ref EV2 International cycle route
Show on map National Cycle Network Route 4 Cycling route ▾
Named route Ref 4 National Cycle Network
Show on map Two Tunnels Greenway Cycling route ▾
Named route Ref 244 National Cycle Network
Show on map 5 public paths nearby
Public paths
No named routes yet. Public paths are shown on the map.
✦ Ancient woodland — continuously wooded since at least 1600 AD. A rare and irreplaceable habitat, rich in biodiversity and historical character.
Weather for this location Next 14 days Nearby places Useful places within 5 km
All Historic
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id: 8f21a7e2-4a53-464e-a060-4eb8bef932aa
UK green spaces mapped from open public data — so anyone can find the woodland, trail, or nature reserve closest to them.
© 2026 Glade · Made with care for UK green spaces
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Wildlife to spot
19,009 records · National Biodiversity Network
▾
Wildlife to spot 19,009 records · National Biodiversity Network 🐦 Birds 34 species
autumn winter
2025 ▾
Woodpigeon · Kestrel · Carrion Crow · Robin · Blackbird +29
Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Carrion Crow Corvus corone Robin Erithacus rubecula Blackbird Turdus merula Great Tit Parus major Skylark Alauda arvensis Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Swallow Hirundo rustica Magpie Pica pica Starling Sturnus vulgaris Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Jackdaw Coloeus monedula Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria Rook Corvus frugilegus Redwing Turdus iliacus Raven Corvus corax Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Herring Gull Larus argentatus Fieldfare Turdus pilaris Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba Linnet Linaria cannabina Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Goldcrest Regulus regulus Siskin Spinus spinus Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis Dunnock Prunella modularis House Martin Delichon urbicum Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major 🐝 Insects 17 species
spring summer
2026 ▾
Broad-bodied Chaser · 7-spot Ladybird · Dark-edged Bee-fly · Meadow Grasshopper · Aphrophora alni +12
Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa2025 7-spot Ladybird Coccinella septempunctata2025 Dark-edged Bee-fly Bombylius major Meadow Grasshopper Pseudochorthippus parallelus2025 Aphrophora alni Aphrophora alni2025 Yorkshire-fog · Great Willowherb · Sweet Vernal-grass · Red Clover · False Oat-grass +69
Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus Great Willowherb Epilobium hirsutum Sweet Vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum Red Clover Trifolium pratense False Oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius Common Nettle Urtica dioica Red Bartsia Odontites vernus Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Wildlife to spot 19,009 records · National Biodiversity Network 🐦 Birds 34 species
autumn winter
2025 ▾
Woodpigeon · Kestrel · Carrion Crow · Robin · Blackbird +29
Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Carrion Crow Corvus corone Robin Erithacus rubecula Blackbird Turdus merula Great Tit Parus major Skylark Alauda arvensis Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Swallow Hirundo rustica Magpie Pica pica Starling Sturnus vulgaris Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Jackdaw Coloeus monedula Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria Rook Corvus frugilegus Redwing Turdus iliacus Raven Corvus corax Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Herring Gull Larus argentatus Fieldfare Turdus pilaris Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba Linnet Linaria cannabina Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Goldcrest Regulus regulus Siskin Spinus spinus Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis Dunnock Prunella modularis House Martin Delichon urbicum Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major 🐝 Insects 17 species
spring summer
2026 ▾
Broad-bodied Chaser · 7-spot Ladybird · Dark-edged Bee-fly · Meadow Grasshopper · Aphrophora alni +12
Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa2025 7-spot Ladybird Coccinella septempunctata2025 Dark-edged Bee-fly Bombylius major Meadow Grasshopper Pseudochorthippus parallelus2025 Aphrophora alni Aphrophora alni2025 Yorkshire-fog · Great Willowherb · Sweet Vernal-grass · Red Clover · False Oat-grass +69
Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus Great Willowherb Epilobium hirsutum Sweet Vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum Red Clover Trifolium pratense False Oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius Common Nettle Urtica dioica Red Bartsia Odontites vernus Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Platycheirus clypeatus agg.
Platycheirus clypeatus agg.
Platycheirus clypeatus agg.2025
Platycheirus clypeatus agg.2025
Glow-worm Lampyris noctiluca2025
Glow-worm Lampyris noctiluca2025
Eristalis arbustorum Eristalis arbustorum2025
Eristalis arbustorum Eristalis arbustorum2025
Eristalis tenax Eristalis tenax2025
Eristalis tenax Eristalis tenax2025
Sacchiphantes abietis Sacchiphantes abietis2025
Sacchiphantes abietis Sacchiphantes abietis2025
Swollen-thighed Beetle Oedemera nobilis2025
Swollen-thighed Beetle Oedemera nobilis2025
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus2025
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus2025
Hawthorn Shieldbug Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale2025
Hawthorn Shieldbug Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale2025
Iris Weevil Mononychus punctumalbum2025
Iris Weevil Mononychus punctumalbum2025
Cantharis rustica Cantharis rustica2025
Cantharis rustica Cantharis rustica2025
Red-headed Cardinal Beetle Pyrochroa serraticornis2025
Red-headed Cardinal Beetle Pyrochroa serraticornis2025
Dotted Bee-fly Bombylius discolor2025
Dotted Bee-fly Bombylius discolor2025
Red Fescue Festuca rubra
Red Fescue Festuca rubra
Common Bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus
Common Bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus
White Clover Trifolium repens
White Clover Trifolium repens
Oxeye Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare
Oxeye Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare
Rough Meadow-grass Poa trivialis
Rough Meadow-grass Poa trivialis
Hazel Corylus avellana
Hazel Corylus avellana
Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium
Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium
Cleavers Galium aparine
Cleavers Galium aparine
Ash Fraxinus excelsior
Ash Fraxinus excelsior
Male-fern Dryopteris filix-mas
Male-fern Dryopteris filix-mas
Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris
Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris
Cut-leaved Crane's-bill Geranium dissectum
Cut-leaved Crane's-bill Geranium dissectum
Creeping Thistle Cirsium arvense
Creeping Thistle Cirsium arvense
Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris
Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris
Common Vetch Vicia sativa subsp. segetalis
Common Vetch Vicia sativa subsp. segetalis
Common Mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum
Common Mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum
Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata
Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata
Cock's-foot Dactylis glomerata
Cock's-foot Dactylis glomerata
Common Sorrel Rumex acetosa
Common Sorrel Rumex acetosa
Dog's Mercury Mercurialis perennis
Dog's Mercury Mercurialis perennis
Meadow Foxtail Alopecurus pratensis
Meadow Foxtail Alopecurus pratensis
Dittander Lepidium latifolium
Dittander Lepidium latifolium
Rambling Tail-moss Anomodon viticulosus
Rambling Tail-moss Anomodon viticulosus
Nettle-leaved Bellflower Campanula trachelium
Nettle-leaved Bellflower Campanula trachelium
Lady's Bedstraw Galium verum
Lady's Bedstraw Galium verum
Hedgerow Crane's-bill Geranium pyrenaicum
Hedgerow Crane's-bill Geranium pyrenaicum
Wild Marjoram Origanum vulgare
Wild Marjoram Origanum vulgare
Upright Brome Bromopsis erecta
Upright Brome Bromopsis erecta
Centaurea nigra Centaurea nigra
Centaurea nigra Centaurea nigra
Crested Dog's-tail Cynosurus cristatus
Crested Dog's-tail Cynosurus cristatus
Yellow Oat-grass Trisetum flavescens
Yellow Oat-grass Trisetum flavescens
Bush Vetch Vicia sepium
Bush Vetch Vicia sepium
Greater Plantain Plantago major
Greater Plantain Plantago major
Hoary Willowherb Epilobium parviflorum
Hoary Willowherb Epilobium parviflorum
Bramble Rubus fruticosus
Bramble Rubus fruticosus
Meadow Vetchling Lathyrus pratensis
Meadow Vetchling Lathyrus pratensis
Prickly Sow-thistle Sonchus asper
Prickly Sow-thistle Sonchus asper
Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris
Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris
Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens
Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens
Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius
Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius
Hedge Bindweed Calystegia sepium
Hedge Bindweed Calystegia sepium
Smaller Cat's-tail Phleum bertolonii
Smaller Cat's-tail Phleum bertolonii
Wood Dock Rumex sanguineus
Wood Dock Rumex sanguineus
Smooth Meadow-grass Poa pratensis
Smooth Meadow-grass Poa pratensis
Perennial Rye-grass Lolium perenne
Perennial Rye-grass Lolium perenne
Herb-Robert Geranium robertianum
Herb-Robert Geranium robertianum
Hedge Woundwort Stachys sylvatica
Hedge Woundwort Stachys sylvatica
Tragopogon pratensis subsp. minor Tragopogon pratensis subsp. minor
Tragopogon pratensis subsp. minor Tragopogon pratensis subsp. minor
Smooth Hawk's-beard Crepis capillaris
Smooth Hawk's-beard Crepis capillaris
Sanicle Sanicula europaea
Sanicle Sanicula europaea
Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis
Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis
Great Lettuce Lactuca virosa
Great Lettuce Lactuca virosa
Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare
Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare
Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara
Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara
Ragged-Robin Silene flos-cuculi
Ragged-Robin Silene flos-cuculi
Common Twayblade Neottia ovata
Common Twayblade Neottia ovata
Common Spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii
Common Spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii
Yellow Iris Iris pseudacorus
Yellow Iris Iris pseudacorus
Pignut Conopodium majus
Pignut Conopodium majus
Common Ragwort Jacobaea vulgaris
Common Ragwort Jacobaea vulgaris
Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Bugle Ajuga reptans
Bugle Ajuga reptans
Lamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. montanum Lamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. montanum
Lamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. montanum Lamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. montanum
Fool's Water-Cress Helosciadium nodiflorum
Fool's Water-Cress Helosciadium nodiflorum
Cuckooflower Cardamine pratensis
Cuckooflower Cardamine pratensis
Germander Speedwell Veronica chamaedrys
Germander Speedwell Veronica chamaedrys
Greater Celandine Chelidonium majus
Greater Celandine Chelidonium majus 