Swindon
Woodland Trust wood group
Size:
14.30 ha (35.34 acres)
Grid reference:
SU114884
Map reference:
Explorer 169
OS Landranger 173
This young woodland is rich in flowering plants and birdlife, with lowland meadows full of life and is designated as a County Wildlife Site.
Enjoy Purton’s extensive footpaths and keep a keen ear out for the green woodpecker while you explore.
Purton is a 16-hectare (39.5-acre) wood situated on the north-west edge of Swindon, adjacent to Moulden Hill Country Park.
From Swindon, take the A4198 Thamesdown Drive which runs round the north-western side of the town. Turn into Moulden Hill Country Park and park here. Then head into Moulden Hill Country Park heading west, passing the lake on your left-hand side and crossing over the River Ray on the footbridge. Purton starts on the western side of the river, immediately after crossing the bridge.
The nearest train station is located on Station Road, in the centre of Swindon, around 6.4km (4 miles) from the easterly entrance to Purton.
Visit National Rail for more information.
The nearest bus stop is at Queen Elizabeth Drive, near the Tawny Owl pub. It is a few minutes’ walk from the Mouldon Country Park entrance.
Visit Traveline for more information.
There are five official pedestrian entrances to Purton. These are at the western, middle and eastern ends of the Sustrans route 45 cycle and bridle path, which runs along the southern edge of the site. One entrance is from the north-west, along a public footpath.
A number of permissive and public footpaths form various routes around and through Purton Wood. The Sustrans cycle route along the southern boundary is loosely surfaced, but all other paths are grass. The site is flat but can be waterlogged and muddy at times.
Parking is available at Moulden Hill Country Park, a Swindon Borough Council site adjacent to the wood.
There are no toilets on site. The nearest public toilets are located approximately 3 miles away at West Swindon Shopping Centre, Whitehill Way. There are also full disabled facilities available.
Purton is brimming with birdlife – many birds are particularly fond of the old hedges within and around the site. Listen out for the distinctive call of the cuckoo in early spring, or visit at dusk to hear the hooting of tawny owls hunting for mice. Both the great spotted and green woodpecker make their home here, as do a range of birds famed for their vocal abilities – from thrushes and willow warblers to blackcaps and chiffchaffs.
Look out for:
Look out for the varied plant life, including bugle, meadow cranesbill and greater bird’s-foot trefoil, which provide food for a variety of butterflies and caterpillars. During the warmer months, look out for the fluttering of the marbled white, meadow brown and orange-tip butterflies in the wide paths where these flowers bloom.
Look out for:
Purton features lowland meadows and broadleaved woodland, providing habitats for lots of wildlife.
Explore:
Most of Purton was planted with native broadleaves between 1998 and 2000. The south-eastern corner was planted as part of our ‘Woods on your Doorstep’ millennium project and is known locally as Berriman’s Wood. The two fields on the eastern side, adjacent to the river, were planted in 2005.
The millennium feature at Berriman’s Wood is a parish marker stone which was part of a wider parish council millennium project. The stone is situated at the western end of the site and engraved ‘Purton Parish Council 2000’. There is also a mile-marker type stone adjacent to the parish boundary stone.
Purton is a popular destination for anyone who enjoys walking. A public footpath runs throughout the site, and the Sustrans cycle route and public bridle path run along the southern boundary to the wood, linking the site to the nearby Mouldon Hill Country Park.
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.
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.
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