The Devenish Nature Reserve

The Devenish Reserve is owned and managed by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.

It is situated just north of Stratford sub Castle, along the Durnford Road, where there is a small car park - see map. The Reserve is named in memory of the banker, Matthew Devenish, who lived at Little Durnford Manor.

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The Reserve has a wonderful mix of young woodland, mature beech woodland, chalk downland and meadow. This variety is what makes it such a haven for wildlife, particularly for beetles, bugs and butterflies, such as the chalkhill blue. 

There are signed trails to guide first-time visitors but  there are no access restrictions if anyone prefers to just wander around the Reserve.

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Dogs on leads are welcome but the reserve is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs.

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You can find out more about the reserve by looking at  the 

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust web site  or by reading the information leaflet - PDF.

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Richard Death is the volunteer warden and there is a  Devenish Supporters Group for anyone who is interested in helping look after the site. This involves as much or as little as any volunteer wishes. It could be as little as visiting the site occasionally and keeping your eyes open for anything that is wrong; going for a "walk with a purpose" and taking a stick with you to knock down any nettles growing on the footpaths; doing a regular walk on a standard route and recording butterflies; or it could be coming along periodically to help with conservation tasks such as hazel coppicing, ragwort pulling or path widening, etc.

There are volunteer days each month and occasional Guided Tours.

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If you would like to help, or for more information, contact Richard Death email 

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View images taken at the Devenish Nature Reserve in our photo album here.

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and also in the 'Signs of spring 2020' photo album, here.

Click the image to view a video featuring
The Devenish from the air.