← Back🌳 Broadleaved woodland

Venn Wood

✦ Ancient woodland10 ha

📷 Derek Harper · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsForaging

Free entryDogs welcome10 ha

Getting here

51.05929, -3.82839

Open directionsv

Google Maps↗Driving directions Apple Maps↗Driving directions Waze↗Live driving navigation Google Transit↗Bus, rail or tram Apple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

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
🌿Foraging 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

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

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

Best for

7 activities

Wildlife

Very strong match

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

Free

Bird watching

Very strong match

Birds — Pheasant, Carrion Crow, Blackbird +51 more · last seen 2024; Birds — Pheasant, Carrion Crow, Blackbird +51 more · last seen 2024

Free

Foraging

Strong match

Plants — Blackthorn, Common Sorrel, Beech +33 more foraging species; Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Seasonal nature

Strong match

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Early-purple Orchid, Common Dog-violet, Foxglove +266 more · last seen 2017

Free

Insect spotting

Strong match

Insects — Red Admiral, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell +18 more · last seen 2021; Insects — Red Admiral, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell +18 more · last seen 2021

Free

Heritage

Good match

Ancient woodland — historic landscape

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

3 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Tarka TrailWalking route

Named routeRef TTRegional walking route

South Molton Community TrailWalking route

Named routeRef SMCTLocal walking route

Macmillan Way WestWalking route

Named routeRef MWWRegional walking route

🚴

Cycling

3 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Route 3Cycling route527.7 km

Named routeRef 3Length 527.7 kmNational Cycle Network

EuroVelo 1 - Atlantic Coast Route - part United Kingdom 2Cycling route

Named routeRef EV1International cycle route

Main RouteCycling route32.9 km

Named routeRef 3Length 32.9 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Wildlife to spot

1,374 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

1,374 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds41 species

winterspring

2024

Pheasant · Swift · Swallow · Woodpigeon · Magpie +36

PheasantPhasianus colchicus2023
SwiftApus apus2022
SwallowHirundo rustica
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2022
MagpiePica pica2022
JackdawColoeus monedula2022
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2022
RobinErithacus rubecula2022
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2022
Great TitParus major2022
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2022
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2022
NuthatchSitta europaea2022
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2022
House SparrowPasser domesticus2022
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2022
Barn OwlTyto alba2019
House MartinDelichon urbicum2023
PigeonColumba2023
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2022
MallardAnas platyrhynchos2022
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2022
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2022
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata2022
Stock DoveColumba oenas2022
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2022
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2022
RavenCorvus corax2022
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2022
Canada GooseBranta canadensis2022
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus2022
Coal TitPeriparus ater2022
RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurus2022
BlackbirdTurdus merula2022
TreecreeperCerthia familiaris2022
Tawny OwlStrix aluco2018
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2013
Herring GullLarus argentatus2013
FieldfareTurdus pilaris2013
GreenfinchChloris chloris2013
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2013

🦌

Mammals6 species

springsummerautumn

2025

Hazel Dormouse · Hedgehog · Grey Squirrel · Stoat · Otter +1

Hazel DormouseMuscardinus avellanarius
HedgehogErinaceus europaeus2022
Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis2022
StoatMustela erminea2022
OtterLutra lutra2022
Common PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus2017

🐝

Insects18 species

summer

2021

Red Admiral · Small White · Peacock · Eristalis tenax · Small Tortoiseshell +13

Red AdmiralVanessa atalanta2019
Small WhitePieris rapae2019
PeacockAglais io2019
Eristalis tenaxEristalis tenax
Small TortoiseshellAglais urticae2019
Painted LadyVanessa cardui2019
HornetVespa crabro2018
Green-veined WhitePieris napi2018
Meadow BrownManiola jurtina2018
Eristalis arbustorumEristalis arbustorum
NeomyiaNeomyia
Panzeria anthophilaPanzeria anthophila
CommaPolygonia c-album2019
BrimstoneGonepteryx rhamni2019
Large WhitePieris brassicae2019
RingletAphantopus hyperantus2017
GatekeeperPyronia tithonus2017
Humming-bird Hawk-mothMacroglossum stellatarum2017

🌿

Plants63 species

spring

2021

Moschatel · Early-purple Orchid · Butterbur · Common Bent · Great Wood-rush +58

MoschatelAdoxa moschatellina2017
Early-purple OrchidOrchis mascula2017
ButterburPetasites hybridus
Common BentAgrostis capillaris2017
Great Wood-rushLuzula sylvatica2017
PignutConopodium majus2017
SnowdropGalanthus nivalis2017
Ground-elderAegopodium podagraria2017
BluebellHyacinthoides non-scripta2017
Scots PinePinus sylvestris2017
Common Dog-violetViola riviniana2017
Wild AngelicaAngelica sylvestris2017
Wood-sorrelOxalis acetosella2017
Common SorrelRumex acetosa2017
Lesser CelandineFicaria verna2017
BeechFagus sylvatica2017
Japanese KnotweedReynoutria japonica2017
Lords-and-LadiesArum maculatum2017
Dog's MercuryMercurialis perennis2017
Callitriche stagnalisCallitriche stagnalis2017
Soft-rushJuncus effusus2017
Cat's-earHypochaeris radicata2017
YarrowAchillea millefolium2017
Douglas FirPseudotsuga menziesii2017
Sitka SprucePicea sitchensis2017
Annual Meadow-grassPoa annua2017
Wood SpeedwellVeronica montana2017
PrimrosePrimula vulgaris2017
Broad Buckler-fernDryopteris dilatata2017
Male-fernDryopteris filix-mas2017
FoxgloveDigitalis purpurea2017
daffodilsNarcissus2017
Creeping ButtercupRanunculus repens2017
Common ValerianValeriana officinalis2017
Devil's-bit ScabiousSuccisa pratensis2017
Red CurrantRibes rubrum2017
HogweedHeracleum sphondylium2017
AshFraxinus excelsior2017
Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrageChrysosplenium oppositifolium2017
Rough ChervilChaerophyllum temulum2017
Floating Sweet-grassGlyceria fluitans2017
Cock's-footDactylis glomerata2017
Cow ParsleyAnthriscus sylvestris2017
Common DuckweedLemna minor2017
SilverweedPotentilla anserina2017
Wood Forget-me-notMyosotis sylvatica2017
Centaurea nigraCentaurea nigra2017
Sweet ChestnutCastanea sativa2017
Field Wood-rushLuzula campestris2017
Wavy Hair-GrassAvenella flexuosa2017
Hairy Bitter-cressCardamine hirsuta2017
CuckooflowerCardamine pratensis2017
PolypodyPolypodium vulgare2017
False Oat-grassArrhenatherum elatius2017
Ivy-leaved SpeedwellVeronica hederifolia2017
Lamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. montanumLamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. montanum2017
Water FigwortScrophularia auriculata2017
Welsh PoppyPapaver cambricum2017
Scaly Male-fernDryopteris affinis2017
Common ChickweedStellaria media2017
Wavy Bitter-cressCardamine flexuosa2017
Climbing CorydalisCeratocapnos claviculata2017
Heath BedstrawGalium saxatile2017

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

1,374 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds41 species

winterspring

2024

Pheasant · Swift · Swallow · Woodpigeon · Magpie +36

PheasantPhasianus colchicus2023
SwiftApus apus2022
SwallowHirundo rustica
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2022
MagpiePica pica2022
JackdawColoeus monedula2022
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2022
RobinErithacus rubecula2022
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2022
Great TitParus major2022
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2022
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2022
NuthatchSitta europaea2022
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2022
House SparrowPasser domesticus2022
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2022
Barn OwlTyto alba2019
House MartinDelichon urbicum2023
PigeonColumba2023
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2022
MallardAnas platyrhynchos2022
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2022
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2022
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata2022
Stock DoveColumba oenas2022
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2022
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2022
RavenCorvus corax2022
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2022
Canada GooseBranta canadensis2022
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus2022
Coal TitPeriparus ater2022
RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurus2022
BlackbirdTurdus merula2022
TreecreeperCerthia familiaris2022
Tawny OwlStrix aluco2018
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2013
Herring GullLarus argentatus2013
FieldfareTurdus pilaris2013
GreenfinchChloris chloris2013
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2013

🦌

Mammals6 species

springsummerautumn

2025

Hazel Dormouse · Hedgehog · Grey Squirrel · Stoat · Otter +1

Hazel DormouseMuscardinus avellanarius
HedgehogErinaceus europaeus2022
Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis2022
StoatMustela erminea2022
OtterLutra lutra2022
Common PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus2017

🐝

Insects18 species

summer

2021

Red Admiral · Small White · Peacock · Eristalis tenax · Small Tortoiseshell +13

Red AdmiralVanessa atalanta2019
Small WhitePieris rapae2019
PeacockAglais io2019
Eristalis tenaxEristalis tenax
Small TortoiseshellAglais urticae2019
Painted LadyVanessa cardui2019
HornetVespa crabro2018
Green-veined WhitePieris napi2018
Meadow BrownManiola jurtina2018
Eristalis arbustorumEristalis arbustorum
NeomyiaNeomyia
Panzeria anthophilaPanzeria anthophila
CommaPolygonia c-album2019
BrimstoneGonepteryx rhamni2019
Large WhitePieris brassicae2019
RingletAphantopus hyperantus2017
GatekeeperPyronia tithonus2017
Humming-bird Hawk-mothMacroglossum stellatarum2017

🌿

Plants63 species

spring

2021

Moschatel · Early-purple Orchid · Butterbur · Common Bent · Great Wood-rush +58

MoschatelAdoxa moschatellina2017
Early-purple OrchidOrchis mascula2017
ButterburPetasites hybridus
Common BentAgrostis capillaris2017
Great Wood-rushLuzula sylvatica2017
PignutConopodium majus2017
SnowdropGalanthus nivalis2017
Ground-elderAegopodium podagraria2017
BluebellHyacinthoides non-scripta2017
Scots PinePinus sylvestris2017
Common Dog-violetViola riviniana2017
Wild AngelicaAngelica sylvestris2017
Wood-sorrelOxalis acetosella2017
Common SorrelRumex acetosa2017
Lesser CelandineFicaria verna2017
BeechFagus sylvatica2017
Japanese KnotweedReynoutria japonica2017
Lords-and-LadiesArum maculatum2017
Dog's MercuryMercurialis perennis2017
Callitriche stagnalisCallitriche stagnalis2017
Soft-rushJuncus effusus2017
Cat's-earHypochaeris radicata2017
YarrowAchillea millefolium2017
Douglas FirPseudotsuga menziesii2017
Sitka SprucePicea sitchensis2017
Annual Meadow-grassPoa annua2017
Wood SpeedwellVeronica montana2017
PrimrosePrimula vulgaris2017
Broad Buckler-fernDryopteris dilatata2017
Male-fernDryopteris filix-mas2017
FoxgloveDigitalis purpurea2017
daffodilsNarcissus2017
Creeping ButtercupRanunculus repens2017
Common ValerianValeriana officinalis2017
Devil's-bit ScabiousSuccisa pratensis2017
Red CurrantRibes rubrum2017
HogweedHeracleum sphondylium2017
AshFraxinus excelsior2017
Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrageChrysosplenium oppositifolium2017
Rough ChervilChaerophyllum temulum2017
Floating Sweet-grassGlyceria fluitans2017
Cock's-footDactylis glomerata2017
Cow ParsleyAnthriscus sylvestris2017
Common DuckweedLemna minor2017
SilverweedPotentilla anserina2017
Wood Forget-me-notMyosotis sylvatica2017
Centaurea nigraCentaurea nigra2017
Sweet ChestnutCastanea sativa2017
Field Wood-rushLuzula campestris2017
Wavy Hair-GrassAvenella flexuosa2017
Hairy Bitter-cressCardamine hirsuta2017
CuckooflowerCardamine pratensis2017
PolypodyPolypodium vulgare2017
False Oat-grassArrhenatherum elatius2017
Ivy-leaved SpeedwellVeronica hederifolia2017
Lamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. montanumLamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. montanum2017
Water FigwortScrophularia auriculata2017
Welsh PoppyPapaver cambricum2017
Scaly Male-fernDryopteris affinis2017
Common ChickweedStellaria media2017
Wavy Bitter-cressCardamine flexuosa2017
Climbing CorydalisCeratocapnos claviculata2017
Heath BedstrawGalium saxatile2017