Westbury
Woodland Trust wood group
Size:
42.06 ha (103.93 acres)
Grid reference:
ST876542
Map reference:
Explorer 156
OS Landranger 183
With one of the best displays of native bluebells in the county and an abundance of butterflies and moths, including rare species, Clanger Wood is a paradise for nature lovers. A designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with an interesting history, Clanger Wood is well worth a visit.
Clanger Wood is a 59 hectare (145 acre) site on the outskirts of Heywood, Wiltshire.
It sits alongside the A350 and is 8km (5 miles) north of Westbury.
From Trowbridge, take the A350 south towards Westbury. Then, at the Yarnbrook roundabout, continue south on the A350 towards Warminster. After just over 1km (0.6 miles) Clanger Wood is signposted on the left-hand side.
The nearest railway station is Westbury, 4km (2.5 miles) from Clanger Wood. Some of the route is along pavements, but after leaving Westbury there are only grass verges next to the busy main road.
Visit National Rail for more information.
The nearest bus stop is just over 1km (0.7 miles) away at the Yarnbrook crossroads to the north of the site, on Westbury Road. Some of the route to the wood is along pavements, but much of the route has no pavements and only grass verges next to the busy main road.
Visit Traveline for more information.
There are a number of entrances to Clanger Wood. The main one, on the eastern side of the A350 between Trowbridge and Westbury, is a kissing gate from the car park.
A public footpath runs outside the northern boundary of the woods and there are squeeze-gap entrances into Picket Wood at the eastern and western ends. The access into Round Wood is via a squeeze-gap on the western side of the A350.
The main route is surfaced with compacted stone. This is undulating in places but overall is fairly flat. There are several permissive paths that lead from this main path around the woodland. Two of these have a stone finish. Other paths are un-surfaced and can be waterlogged, muddy and uneven in places. There are some small bridges across various watercourses.
There is a free car park at the main entrance, with space for 10 cars.
The nearest public toilets are found at Tesco on Longfield Road in Trowbridge. These facilities are wheelchair accessible.
Butterflies flock to Clanger Wood. All sorts of animals thrive in the lush flora from mammals to lizards.
Look out for:
Clanger Wood comes alive with a glorious show of bluebells during the spring months. If you look carefully you may even come across some rare, native white bluebells.
Early purple orchids, bugle and moschatel all add a further splash of colour to the woodland, and a range of fungi can be found flourishing on dead wood.
Look out for:
The rich habitats in Clanger Wood provide homes for a multitude of wildlife. Ancient woodland supports specialist wildlife species, while broadleaf trees offer shelter to a range of fauna.
Explore:
42 hectares (105 acres) of Clanger Wood were given to the Woodland Trust in 1984 by Robert Kiln. It was the largest single gift we had received at the time. We then purchased Picket Wood in 1989 and Round Wood in 1994 as extensions to the site.
Ever since, we've been working at gradually restoring the woodland to its former glory. We have thinned conifers so that native trees can regenerate and volunteers help us coppice trees. Where conifers once blocked out the site, there are now open glades where wildflowers thrive.
This wood is one of more than 50 across the UK where it's possible to dedicate trees, benches or larger areas of woodland. Mark a special occasion or celebrate the life of a loved one with a meaningful gesture that lasts.
Choose a dedicationWith so much flora and fauna to see, Clanger Woods is a great place to embark on a walk, be it a swift stroll or a laid-back meander. There is a range of permissive paths available, leading from Clanger to Picket Wood.
This wood is just one of many to have been protected by gifts in wills, securing it for generations to come. Your legacy gift could also make a real difference to woods, trees and wildlife.
Learn what your gift could mean
