North of Plymouth, immediately south of Derriford Hospital
Bircham Valley Local Nature Reserve
Mixed-habitat reserve
Place photograph
5.8
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.8A 23-hectare patch of woodland, meadows, hedgerows, a stream, pond and marshland on Plymouth’s northern edge.
Bircham Valley earns its place as a worthwhile local escape through the variety packed into its 23 hectares: woodland and wildflower meadow give way to a stream, pond and marshland, with three short routes for exploring different parts of the valley.
Peaceful · Secluded
Find your way
Open mapNorth of Plymouth, immediately south of Derriford Hospital
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Choose the short purple route to the pond, cross the valley on the orange route, or take the red circular route. The reserve’s official wildlife list gives extra reasons to slow down: look for bluebells, wild garlic, primroses, orchids, butterflies and signs of badger or slow worm.
Things to do
Walk to the pond
Follow the purple route to the pond through the reserve. The path is described as firm and mostly flat.
About 10 minutes one way
Cross the valley
Follow the orange route across the valley. It is about 1 kilometre, with mostly firm surfaces and steep sections.
About 20 minutes
Take the red circular walk
Follow the red route for a circular walk on firm paths, mostly flat but with some steep sections.
About 30 minutes
Look for seasonal wildflowers and butterflies
The council records bluebell, wild garlic, primrose, ox-eye daisy, yellow rattle, common spotted orchid, and butterflies including marbled white and comma.
Join the Co-op Way
The reserve connects with the Co-op Way, a 14-mile walk around Plymouth. Look for route waymarkers.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 10 minutes walking; around 500 metres one way
Quick Escape: the pond path
- 01
Follow the purple route towards the pond.
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The path is described by Plymouth City Council as firm and mostly flat.
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Pause at the pond, then return the same way.
Half day · About 30 minutes on the red circular route, or longer if combining routes
Explore the valley routes
- 01
Take the red route for a circular walk on mostly firm paths; allow about 30 minutes.
- 02
If you want to see more of the reserve, follow the orange route across the valley, which is about 1 kilometre and takes around 20 minutes.
- 03
Expect steep sections on both the red and orange routes; check conditions before setting out.
Hidden details
Yellow rattle helps make room for other flowers — Plymouth City Council notes that yellow rattle is hemi-parasitic on grass, reducing its growth and allowing other wildflower species to thrive.
Look closely for slow worms — Slow worm is among the species recorded at Bircham Valley by Plymouth City Council. No specific viewing location is supplied; observe wildlife without disturbing it.
When to go
April · May · June · July · No specific time of day is established by the supplied sources.
The council’s species list includes several woodland and meadow flowers, making spring and summer useful seasons for looking for plant life. No precise flowering dates are supplied.
Some routes have steep sections. Check path conditions before visiting, particularly after wet weather.
What to look for
- 01
Look for bluebells, wild garlic and primroses in the woodland
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ox-eye daisy, yellow rattle and common spotted orchid among the recorded plants
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and butterflies including marbled white and comma. The council also lists badger and slow worm among species spotted at the reserve.
Best time to go
Spring and summer for woodland flowers and meadow plants; autumn for fungi and changing leaves.
Spring is a good time to look for bluebells, wild garlic and primroses; later in the season, watch for meadow flowers and common spotted orchids. Keep to paths and check conditions after wet weather.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers
Practical information
Opening & access
Plymouth City Council identifies Bircham Valley as a Local Nature Reserve with paths through the site. Check current access information before visiting.
Check before visiting
Parking
Check before visiting; parking information is not confirmed by the supplied official source.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting; toilet information is not confirmed by the supplied official source.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
No café information is confirmed by the supplied official source. Check nearby options before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check current reserve guidance and signage before visiting with a dog.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The purple route to the pond is described as firm and mostly flat. The orange and red routes include steep sections. Check current conditions and access suitability before setting out.
Check before visiting
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Water
Stream, pond and marshland. No swimming or paddling permission is evidenced.
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Bircham Valley Local Nature Reserve
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances