Chapel Wood

Welcome! We’re continuing to follow government guidance to make your visit safe and enjoyable. See our Covid-19 updates page for the latest information (link below). Please also #RespectProtectEnjoy the special wildlife here and each other, by keeping to the paths and being mindful of other people’s space. Thank you.

Address: RSPB Chapel Wood, Mains Down Ln, Croyde, Braunton EX33 1JA

Grid ref: SS482413

What3Words: hazel.pampering.harmless

Covid-19 updates for RSPB nature reserves

RSPB Chapel Wood is a fine broadleaved woodland in a beautiful and historic setting, crowned by an Iron Age hill fort. Regular nesting species include tawny owls, nuthatches, plus great spotted and green woodpeckers. Red deer, brown hares and badgers can often be spotted amongst the bluebells, primroses and foxgloves in summer.

Plan your visit

Open at all times.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free, but donations are very welcome

Children: Free, but donations are very welcome

Facilities

Viewing point
Nature trails

Accessibility

How to get here

By train

Barnstaple station is 8 miles away.

By bus

Heddon Mills is 1.5 miles away with services from Barnstaple, Braunton and Ilfracombe. Catch the number 3 First Bus (Barnstaple/Ilfracombe) which runs half hourly, Monday to Saturday. The lane to Spreacombe and Woolacombe is busy at times so care is needed as there is no footpath.

By bike

Near National Cycle Network Route 31.

By road

Chapel Wood is 2 miles north of Braunton and signposted from Spreacombe. From Barnstaple take the A361 Ilfracombe road. Go through Braunton and Knowle. About 1.25 miles north of Knowle, take the turning to the left marked to Spreacombe and Georgeham. After 0.75 mile, at the fork, keep to the left over the bridge. The reserve is accessed along this road.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Other ways to get there

There are footpaths (utilising lanes) to the area from Woolacombe and Willingcott as shown on the Ordinance Survey map of the area.

Get directions from Google Maps

View on What3Words

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Contact Chapel Wood

RSPB Chapel Wood, Mains Down Ln, Croyde, Braunton EX33 1JA
exeestuary@rspb.org.uk
01392 833311
@RSPBExeEstuary
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What will you see?

Our star species

Buzzard

Keep an eye out for them as they soar overhead on sunny days.

Great spotted woodpecker

Look and listen for great spotted woodpeckers anywhere on the reserve.

Green woodpecker

Though green woodpeckers nest in trees, they spend a lot of time feeding on the ground.

Nuthatch

Nuthatches are very charismatic residents of Chapel Wood.

Tawny owl

Look out for flocks of small birds getting agitated as they pester and 'mob' the unfortunate dozing owls.

In spring, primroses and snowdrops adorn the nature trail margins, with bluebells on the higher slopes of this broadleaved woodland. Buzzards call and woodpeckers drum. Red deer, badgers and even brown hares are frequent.

In summer you can see beautiful bluebells in the higher areas. The nestboxes are busy as tits rear their broods; ravens are noisy as they feed their young.

During autumn, the woodland floor is brightened by exotic-looking fungi such as fly agaric, bracket fungi, earthballs and coral fungi. Flocks of redwings and finches chatter overhead.

In winter, large flocks of thrushes use the surrounding fields and shelter in the wood. Deer and other mammals also take shelter from the winter weather.

About Chapel Wood

Habitat

This is a fine broadleaved woodland with an impressive variety of birds. Regular nesting species include tawny owls, nuthatches, plus great spotted and green woodpeckers. Pied flycatchers occasionally nest and ravens have also nested here. Red deer, brown hares and badgers visit the wood. The soils of Chapel Wood are rather acidic which can limit the variety of wild flowers, although bluebells, primroses and foxgloves provide a splash of colour.

Conservation

Management consists largely of the gradual removal of non-native species planted during the last century and their replacement with native trees. About one hectare of native oak trees has been planted. We retain standing dead timber so long as it presents no danger to visitors.

Site information

This is a fine broadleaved woodland in a beautiful and historic setting - on a steep hillside, crowned by an Iron Age hill fort, with a stream running down either side. The site was donated to the RSPB in 1951 and was the first reserve owned in southwest England.

For such a small area, Chapel Wood has an impressive variety of birds.

Latest blog posts

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Activities and events

Activities for children and families

For more information on events and to book tickets, please visit events.rspb.org.uk/chapelwood

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