Higher Compton
Woodland Trust wood group
Size:
5.08 ha (12.55 acres)
Grid reference:
SX492571
Map reference:
Explorer 108
OS Landranger 201
Three urban woods, Leigham, Greenacres and Hollycroft, form the Parkway Woods. Each wood is an escape from bustling city life and a haven for local wildlife. From the ancient woodland at Leigham to the planted native woodland at Hollycroft, there’s plenty to see in each of the woods.
All three sites – Leigham, Greenacres and Hollycroft – are close to neighbouring housing near Plymouth Parkway and the A38 in eastern Plymouth.
For Leigham Wood, come off the A38 at the Leigham roundabout and take Longbridge Road through to the retail park, then turn left along Leigham Manor Drive.
Hollycroft lies on the north-facing slopes between Higher Compton and the Plymouth Parkway (A38), with on-street parking available in Hollycroft Road or Pearn Gardens housing development.
For Greenacres Wood, take the slip road off the A38 at the Deep Lane junction and follow the Ridgeway back into Plympton. Just after the service station on the right-hand side, turn right into Cornwood Road. Entrances and on-street parking are on The Spinney – the housing development immediately to the left, or parking is near the main entrance to the wood approximately 300m further along Cornwood Road.
The nearest train station is Plymouth, around 8km (5 miles) from the woods.
Visit National Rail for more information.
For Leigham, there are bus stops along Barnstaple Close, especially near Babbacombe Close junction. Follow Babbacombe Close to its end or walk down Torbryan Close to find entrances to Leigham.
For Hollycroft, there is a bus stop near the Rising Sun Pub and then it’s a short walk to Hollycroft along either Eastfield Crescent or Brynmoor Park.
For Greenacres, there is a bus stop at the junction of the Ridgeway and Cornwood Road. Enter the wood off The Spinney or approximately 300m along Cornwood Road.
Visit Traveline for more information.
Access for Leigham is through a one-metre-wide gate on Leigham Manor Drive onto a hard track, which then continues in a loop through the woodland. This path can be muddy when wet and during high use. All tracks and paths in the younger woodland are a natural, grassy surface with some slopes, and these can also get wet and slippery during wet weather.
There are several ways to access Hollycroft. These include via a squeeze gap off the parking area near Hollycroft Road, from a footpath at the bottom of Hollycroft Road, another via a squeeze gap off the end of Brynmoor Park, a third off Eastfield Crescent and a fourth from Pearn Gardens.
The site is steep, having once been used as a tipping site for topsoil. There is now a large level terrace in the middle of the slopes. There is a good network of paths, some steep, and a number with flights of steps. The path surfaces are natural and grassy and can become slippery when wet.
The path that follows along the stream at the bottom of the slope has a number of wet flushes along its length, caused by water runoff from the site.
Access to this wood is via Cornwood Road in Plympton, through a field gate onto a wide natural surface track that runs through the wood. It can be muddy and slippery in wet weather. Paths run off this track into other woodland.
Parking for Leigham is limited but available in front of the gate at the wood entrance and in a small lay-by along the river bank on the opposite side of the Leigham Manor Drive. It is also available in two small lay-bys 500 metres further along the road.
There is a small parking area near the entrance to Hollycroft plus limited space for parking along Cornwood Road.
There is space for one car at the wood entrance to Greenacres.
There are no public toilets close to the wood, but there are toilets available in Plympton and Plymouth centre.
With buzzards sighted at all three woods, and fallow deer and tawny owls at Leigham, there is lots of wildlife to be seen at Parkway Woods.
Look out for:
With swathes of stunning bluebells and crisp white wood anemone at Leigham in spring, dogs mercury in Greenacres and three-cornered garlic in Hollycroft, there is a great deal of flora to admire at Parkway Woods.
Look out for:
The areas of new woodland at Parkway Woods buffer ancient woodland as well as extending habitats for local wildlife.
Explore:
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 dedication
Visiting woods
Dogs are welcome for walkies in our woods. Take a look at our tips and guidelines for ensuring we keep our woods safe and special for dogs and wildlife.
Visiting woods
Discover events at our woods and the festivals and fairs you can find us at soon.
Visiting woods
Go on an adventure. Get closer to nature. Uncover history. Discover ways to explore the UK's woods whatever the season.
