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 Ravensroost Wood
  
 Welcome to Ravensroost Wood
Owned and managed by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, the wood was bought in 1987 with
grants from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, English Nature and the
Worldwide Fund for Nature. The aim is to manage the wood using traditional
coppice management to enhance and maintain the variety of wildlife.
Ravensroost Wood is an ancient remnant of the medieval Royal Hunting Forest of
Braydon. Parts have been under continuous woodland cover since at least 1600
and this means a huge range of trees, flowers, birds and insects have had time
to make their homes here. Due to its conservation importance it is legally
protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Historically,
Ravensroost Wood has been managed as a coppice wood to provide a variety of
products for the local community. The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is now restoring
this form of management for the benefit of wildlife. Local craftsmen also gain
as a result.
Traditionally Ravensroost Wood was managed as a coppice rotation with
standards. The cutting of the understorey and the retention of occasional oak
tree standards benefits the wild flowers, butterflies and birds. The wood was
neglected for at least ten years before the Trust bought it and started to
restore the coppice cycle. Blocks of approximately 0.5 hectares are cut each
year by volunteers and contractors. The materials go for timber, firewood,
charcoal, hedgelaying and to make wattle hurdles.
This work allows light to penetrate to the woodland floor, enabling many wild
plants to flower. The spring displays of bluebells, wood anemone, wood sorrel,
sanicle, violet and primrose can be spectacular.
The edges of the rides continue to provide colour throughout the summer with
common spotted, early purple and greater butterfly orchids, hemp agrimony and
betony. These in turn are nectar sites for a profusion of butterflies peaking
in July and August. Silver-washed fritillary and white admiral are the most
spectacular; meadow brown, gatekeeper and peacock the most numerous. The
different stages of understorey regrowth provide a succession of homes for
woodland songsters. Dawn in May is
the best time to hear willow warblers, blackcap, chiffchaff and garden
warblers. In winter mixed flocks of nuthatches, tits, and treecreepers move
noisily through the wood and woodcock can be flushed from wet, muddy areas.
The tree cover is mostly oak canopy and hazel understorey but many other
species are found. Two uncommon trees of Wiltshire found in the wood are small
leaved lime and wild service tree. Both are indicative of ancient woodland and
both enhance the fantastic autumn display of colour. The hut in the middle of
the wood was built in the 1930s as shelter for participants of Boxing Day
shoots and auction sales of coppice blocks.
A walk round Ravensroost shows how woods would have looked for hundreds of
years. The Trust will continue the stewardship of the site to perpetuate the
wildlife interest and history of this beautiful place.
Other information
Location:Take the B4696 Ashton Keynes road north from Wootton Bassett.
After two miles take the second turn left to Minety. Go straight on when the
main road turns sharp right. Go straight over the next crossroads and
Ravensroost Wood car park is one the right after 1/4 mile.
Best times to visit: May for peak bird activity and spring flowers; July
for peak butterfly numbers.
Habitats:Woodland, both coppice and high oak forest., and ponds.
Specialities of the reserve: Ancient woodland with associated rare
plants, good butterfly population and a variety of birds, especially warblers.
Shelter on the reserve:The Shooting Hut, 1/4 mile from car park on main
ride.
Nearest public toilets: On Queen Street next to Braydon Church, one
mile away.
Nearest hospital casualty department: Princess Margaret Hospital,
Swindon
Nearby WWT nature reserves: Wildflower hay meadows at Distillery Farm
lie just to the north east of the site, Avis Meadow to the south east.
Parking: Parking for 5-6 cars in the car park. OS map ref SU023 877. OS
Map Landranger 73 Swindon, Devizes and Surrounding area.
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