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Discover this unique wildlife site in South Marston, near Swindon

Planted in the 1990s on an ex-agricultural site, Nightingale Wood is a new community woodland that supports a large variety of wildlife, especially birds.

If you are into bird watching, make sure to visit the wood with your binoculars on hand. You never know what you may spot! 

Stop by the woodland for a picnic, choose from three easy access trails for a peaceful outdoor walk or explore the trim trail play equipment, funded by the Great Western Community Forest project.

Walking trails at Nightingale Wood

There are hard surface paths throughout the three waymarked trails on site. The Heron walk is our longest trail at 2.5 km and the Nighingale walk is our shortest trail at 1 km. The Kestrel walk passes through a wildlife viewing area. 

Heron Walk at Nightingale Wood

This is the longest of the walking trails in Nightingale Wood.

In summer skylarks soar and yellowhammers perch in the hedgerows. In winter the hedgerows fill with redwings and fieldfares. Of the larger animals, the most likely to see is the roe deer, although you may also be lucky to see a fox crossing the path.

From the bird hide situated on this trail you can look out over South Marston Brook, a quiet place to rest and watch the birds and animals as they come and go.

Trail information

Follow the blue waymarkers.

Grade: Easy

Trail Length: 2.5km

Is this trail for you?

Fully accessible circular trail with paths that have been surfaced to a high standard. Particularly easy to use for wheelchairs and with young children in buggies. Benches are provided along the trail and there are no stiles.

Kestrel Walk at Nightingale Wood

A short walking trail passing the wildlife viewing area. 

Trail information

Follow the red waymarkers.

Grade: Easy

Trail Length: 1.5km

Is this trail for you?

Fully accessible circular walk on paths that are surfaced to a high standard.  Benches are provided along the walk and there are no stiles. If you have a wheelchair or young children and a buggy, you will find the trail welcoming and easy to use.

Nightingale Walk at Nightingale Wood

The shortest walking trail at Nightingale Wood. 

This is a circular walk which is fully accessible. 

Trail information

Follow the white waymarkers.

Grade: Easy

Trail Length: 1km

Is this trail for you?

Benches along the way. There are no stiles and the paths are surfaced to a high standard. Ideal for wheelchair users and pushchairs.