About Steeple Ashton Natural History

Wiltshire is still a green and pleasent place to live dispite the ever encroacing urbanisation that sybolises modern day living. Steeple Ashton see's a wide variet of wildlife with Salisbury Plain a natural haven. Within the boundaries of the village lies Green Lane Woods - a Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserve.

These woods have been a Wiltshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve since 1991. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust manage the woods to encourage the re-establishment of native woodland species of plants, birds and animals that have become scarce locally. The management also insures that the native species already found in the wood survive.

History and management
This area of the parish has been woodland for many hundreds of years, with the first recorded entry for the wood in the mid thirteenth century, it can however be assumed that the woods were here during the 8th - 9th century as it was know by its Saxon name of “Sla Graf” - sloe wood. Over the centuries the wood has been managed for timber production, this ceased in the 1930’s when a lot of the wood was cleared. Between the 30’s and 90’s the woods re-established, but became overgrown and choked through lack of management. Many of the rides in the wood have now been cleared with the under growth being controlled. The woods are now coppiced, producing a large quantity of timber , useful for the production of stakes and fencing hurdles among other timber items.

What can be seen in the woods
The woods contain many species including several species of orchids, woodland butterflies and many woodland birds.

Visiting the reserve
There are several paths through the wood. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s suggested route starts from the car park and is about a mile long. This route takes you through the woods past coppicing of all ages. Keep your eyes and ears open for the differing wildlife throughout the year .
Please remember that this is a wildlife reserve, take your litter home with you and should you be walking your dogs please keep them on a lead to minimise the disturbance for the wildlife.
For further information on visiting the reserve or the Wiltshire Wildlife Trusts work visit their web pages or phone 01380 725670