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  • Chapel Wood

Chapel Wood

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Address
RSPB Chapel Wood, Mains Down Ln, Croyde, Braunton EX33 1JA
Grid ref
SS482413
What3Words
hazel.pampering.harmless

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

Opening times

Open at all times.

Entrance charges

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
  • Find us on facebook

What will you see?

Our star species

    Perched Buzzard illustration

    Buzzard

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

    Great spotted woodpecker male

    Great spotted woodpecker

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

    Male green woodpecker

    Green woodpecker

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

    Nuthatch illustration

    Nuthatch

    Nuthatches are very charismatic residents of Chapel Wood.

    Adult tawny owl

    Tawny owl

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

Seasonal highlights

  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter

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

  • Crisp wintery mornings, peregrine falcon aerial acrobatics, work party antics and Avocet Cruises

    With the marshes filling up, and the winter species moving in, these cold crisp mornings provide fantastic conditions to be out on the marshes. After desert like conditions all summer long, with cracked mud and yellow grass, the last week’s rain has ...

    Posted 19/10/2018 by Tom A
  • Autumns in the air and were getting ready for the exciting arrivals

    With the evening light shortening and the mornings feeling a little chillier, signs that autumn is approaching are beginning. We are eagerly anticipating the autumn/winter migrants; over the next few weeks and months the marsh should regain its marsh...

    Posted 07/09/2018 by Tom A
  • John O’Groats to Land’s End, Over 900 miles in 10 days, for the RSPB and Ecosystem Impact’s Salur Valley Bird Conservation Programme

    On September the 17th my mum and I are cycling over 900 miles, from John O’Groats to Land’s End, in just 10 days. By doing this cycle ride, we aim to raise money for two incredible causes: the RSPB (UK) and Ecosystem Impact’s Salur Valley Bird Conser...

    Posted 21/08/2018 by Tom A
  • Marsh harriers on the marshes, and why not come play in our discovery area!

    Differing greatly from the high speed predation techniques of hobby’s, peregrines and sparrow hawks, marsh harriers are often seen gently soaring across the skyline and can appear to be flying in slow motion. We have had a marsh harrier hanging aroun...

    Posted 11/08/2018 by Tom A
read our blog

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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