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Leigh Woods National Nature Reserve

Somerset  >  United Kingdom

Leigh Woods is on the West Bank of the Avon Gorge in North Somerset.

Ajouté* par Baz Willmott
Dernière actualisation 13 octobre 2022

Description

Leigh Woods sits beside the imposing Avon Gorge just West of the City of Bristol, the Southern part of the woods is owned and managed by the National Trust (since 1909), whilst Forestry England manage the Northern area. The woods mainly comprise of Oak (Quercus), Beech (Fagus), Alder (Alnus), Ash (Fraxinus), Lime (Tilia) and more unusual very rare specimens of Bristol Whitebeam (Karpatiosorbus bristoliensis) and Wilmotts Whitebeam (Sorbus wilmottiana). Forestry England have ongoing work removing areas of Japanese Larch (Larix kaempferi) and Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and replacing with native species.

Both Faucon pèlerin and Grand Corbeau nest most years on the high cliffs of the gorge. Depending on season expect to see Mésange nonnette, Roitelet huppé, Pigeon colombin, Fauvette à tête noire, Pouillot véloce and Fauvette des jardins.

Leigh Woods is the place in the Bristol area to be for International Dawn Chorus Day on the first Sunday in May each year, be sure to arrive early, 0400hrs is best (the woods are open 24 hours). Because the woods are unlit a headtorch or torch is essential during darkness.

Détails

Accès

Leave Bristol Westwards on B3129, cross narrow Clifton Suspension Bridge (Toll Payable - Contactless or Bridge Cards Only Accepted). After crossing bridge turn first Right into North Road (unsigned), continue on this road, woods soon appear on Right, this road eventually dips down and trees grow over road. Park on Right hand side of road near wood entrance. For larger more central car park continue on North Road to junction, turn Right (unsigned) into Abbots Leigh Road, continue on this road straight through traffic lights, shortly on passing Clifton College Sports and Leisure Ground Complex sign, turn Right (NOT through ornate archway entrance) signed Leigh Woods Forestry England, the car park is at the end of a tree lined avenue.

NOTE: the woods can be very busy on fine days especially at weekends, both mountain biking and running take place in the woods. Livestock may be present on site. There is NO National Trust car park on site, roadside parking (22+ spaces) on North Road, a larger car park (Fee Payable - Automatic Number Plate Recognition in operation) and Coffee Shop (open Saturday/Sunday only) can be found in the center of the woods off Abbots Leigh Road (see access for locations - Press STAR on map).

NOTE: there are numerous other paths other than the basic route marked on map.

Terrain et Habitat

Forêt , Prairie , Rivière , Ville/village , Vasières , Canyon/falaise

Conditions

Vallonné , Niveau d'eau élevé probable , Glissant , Marécageux

Boucle

Oui

Avez-vous besoin d'une longue-vue?

Peut être utile

Saison idéale pour observer

Toute l'année

Meilleure période pour une visite

Printemps , Automne , Migration automnale , Migration printanière , Hiver

Itinéraire

Route pavée , Sentier large , Route non pavée , Sentier étroit

Niveau de difficulté de l'itinéraire

Durée de la marche

Accessible via

A pied , Vélo , Voiture

Observatoire/hutte d'observation

Non

Voir les sites d'observation voisins publiés sur Birdingplaces

Carte

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