Visitor information
Opening hours
How to find us
Parking & prices
Facilities & access
Contact details

Opening hours

Nightingale Wood offers 24 hour access, 365 days a year. 

How to find us

How to find us
Nightingale Wood, South Marston, Swindon
Sat Nav Postcode: SN3 4SL
By Car

Via M4 junction 15, take the A419 towards Cirencester then the A420 towards South Marston. Turn left into Old Vicarage Lane and follow signs to the carpark at the end of Nightingale Lane.

There is no access to the woods via Rowborough Lane, please do not follow sat navs this way.

OS Grid Ref
SU206883
Get directions

51.593738871096, -1.7006134077394

Parking and prices

There are no parking charges at Nightingale Wood. 

Additional information

Number of accessible parking spaces: 0

There are no designated accessible parking spaces at this forest, have you seen our Easy Access trails page?

Facilities and access

Assistant dogs welcome
Dogs allowed
Easy access trail
Picnic area
Play Area

Contact details

Landline Number
0300 067 4800
E-Mail Address
westengland@­forestryengland.uk

Discover this unique wildlife site in South Marston, near Swindon

Planted in the 1990s on an ex-agricultural site, Nightingale Wood is a new community woodland that supports a large variety of wildlife, especially birds.

If you are into bird watching, make sure to visit the wood with your binoculars on hand. You never know what you may spot! 

Stop by the woodland for a picnic, choose from three easy access trails for a peaceful outdoor walk or explore the trim trail play equipment, funded by the Great Western Community Forest project.

At a glance 

  • 3 walking trails 
  • Picnic area
  • Play area
  • Dogs welcome 

Things to do

Walking trails at Nightingale Wood

There are hard surface paths throughout the three waymarked trails on site. The Heron walk is our longest trail at 2.5 km and the Nighingale walk is our shortest trail at 1 km. The Kestrel walk passes through a wildlife viewing area. 

Find out more

Nearby forests

Children enjoying a birdwatching event

Webb's Wood

Just west of Swindon, Webb's Wood is home to a variety of habitats, making it ideal for bird watching and nature lovers. 

Explore the wide open areas with your four legged friend, or take some time for yourself within the peaceful broadleaved woodland. 

Find out more
Somerford Common

Somerford Common

Somerford Common is the perfect location for a peaceful countryside walk.

The woodland is important to an array of wildlife, particularly butterflies. 

Find out more
Drive through Savernake forest under tree canopy

Savernake Forest

Located to the south of Marlborough, Savernake Forest is rich in history and has lots to explore. It is a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) as well as a registered important historic park, making it the perfect forest for an exciting and educational day out. 

Find out more
Forest floor full of bluebells at West Woods

West Woods

Located south of Marlborough, West Woods is a very beautiful former ancient woodland site. 

The woodland becomes very popular in late spring due to the fantastic displays of bluebells which carpet the forest floor in certain areas.

There is a good network of walking trails including an easy access route for you to explore. Please help us protect the forest by only cycling on stone-surfaced forest roads and bridleways.

Find out more
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