Ham, Plymouth, Devon

Ham Woods Local Nature Reserve

Mixed-habitat reserve

Place photograph

6.4

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Check

Cost

Peaceful

Feel

WoodlandValleyWetlandRiversideWalkersWildlife loversFamiliesPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

6.4

A steep-sided green valley tucked between Plymouth’s suburbs and the A38, where woodland, meadow, marsh and a stream sit within a city nature reserve.

Ham Woods earns its place for the contrast: a substantial, varied valley landscape within Plymouth, with a brookside path, a wildflower meadow and recorded wildlife including orchids and European eel. Its short circular routes make it an easy urban escape, though uneven ground and slopes mean it is not uniformly accessible.

Peaceful · Wild

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Ham, Plymouth, Devon

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The experience

Choose a short blue or red circular walk, each around 30 minutes at a relaxed pace, or take the flatter 750m stretch of Ham Lane between two entrances. Look out for the brook, signs of the old leat and the stone seating sculpture; allow extra time if exploring the reserve’s wider path network.

Things to do

Follow a blue or red circular walk

Choose one of the signed circular routes through the reserve. Each takes about 30 minutes at a relaxed pace and includes woodland and a path beside the brook.

About 30 minutes

Walk Ham Lane

Take the 750m stretch between Mowhay Road and Fountains Crescent. The council describes the route as having a good, flat surface.

Look for woodland and wetland wildlife

Watch and listen for birds, and look out for bluebells, common twayblade orchid and signs of life around the stream and marshy parts of the valley.

Find traces of the old leat

Look for signs of the 18th-century leat that once supplied water to Weston Mill.

Pause at the stone seating sculpture

Find the stone seating sculpture by international artist Peter Randall-Page along Ham Lane.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · About 30 minutes

A quick brookside loop

01
Follow either the blue or red circular route, using the reserve signage.
02
Take in the woodland and join the path alongside the brook.
03
Allow for steps, slopes and uneven ground on the circular routes.

Half day · Around 1–2 hours

Ham Lane and the reserve’s hidden details

01
Walk the 750m stretch of Ham Lane between Mowhay Road and Fountains Crescent; the council describes its surface as good and flat.
02
Look for the stone seating sculpture by Peter Randall-Page along Ham Lane.
03
Explore a blue or red circular route if conditions and access suit, and look for the brook and signs of the former leat.

Verified history

Plymouth City Council identifies signs of an 18th-century leat at Ham Woods; it once fed Weston Mill. The council also records historic Ham Lane as a feature of the reserve. The supplied sources do not provide further dates or a detailed account of the leat’s history.

Hidden details

The former Weston Mill leat — Signs of the 18th-century leat that once fed Weston Mill are recorded within the reserve.

Peter Randall-Page’s stone seating sculpture — A stone seating sculpture by international artist Peter Randall-Page is installed along Ham Lane.

Common twayblade orchid — The council lists common twayblade among species recorded at the reserve. Look carefully and do not pick plants.

When to go

· Early morning or a weekday for a potentially quieter visit; this timing is suggested by the source row, not confirmed by the supplied official source.

The source row describes spring and summer as particularly vibrant for wildflowers and longer daylight. The council confirms bluebells and common twayblade are among the recorded species but does not specify peak flowering dates. Birdwatching is described as possible year-round.

The reserve has slopes and uneven ground; another supplied source describes some areas as wet or slippery. Check conditions and wear footwear suitable for the terrain.

The route

ascent: 118 ft (third-party route listing; not stated by the council).
surface: Firm paths, with steps, slopes and uneven ground; Ham Lane has a good flat surface for 750m.
distance: Blue and red circular routes are each described by Plymouth City Council as taking about 30 minutes. A separate third-party listing gives a 1.6-mile loop; confirm the route on the council map before relying on that distance.
duration: About 30 minutes for either council-described circular route; 0.5–1 hour for the separately listed 1.6-mile loop.
difficulty: Some steps, slopes and uneven ground; the third-party route listing rates its loop easy.
waymarking: Follow the blue or red route signage; the Co-op Way is marked with way-markers.
route shape: Circular routes are available.
start point: The reserve has entrances at Mowhay Road and Fountains Crescent, among other access points.
parking start: Check before visiting; current parking arrangements are not confirmed by the supplied official source.
shorter alternative: Walk the 750m flat-surfaced stretch of Ham Lane between Mowhay Road and Fountains Crescent.

Woodland and the brookside path
Historic Ham Lane
Signs of the old 18th-century leat
Stone seating sculpture by Peter Randall-Page
Wildflower meadow and orchard

What to look for

Look for bluebells and common twayblade, the brook along the valley bottom, traces of the old 18th-century leat, and the stone seating sculpture by Peter Randall-Page along Ham Lane.

The story

Historic Ham Lane and signs of the 18th-century leat that once fed Weston Mill.

Best time to go

Spring and summer for woodland flowers and longer days; autumn and winter can be rewarding for birdwatching.

Spring and summer bring the strongest prospects for woodland flowers and longer walks. For a quieter visit, the source row suggests weekdays or early mornings; birdwatching is described as worthwhile year-round.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Families · Photographers

Practical information

Opening & access

Plymouth City Council describes the reserve’s walking routes and multiple entrances. Some paths have steps, slopes and uneven ground; check current access conditions before visiting.

Check before visiting

Parking

Check before visiting; current parking arrangements are not confirmed by the supplied official source.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting; toilet facilities are not confirmed by the supplied official source.

Check before visiting

Food & drink

No café or food facilities are confirmed by the supplied official source. Check nearby options before visiting.

Check before visiting

Dogs

Keep dogs under control and follow current reserve signage. The supplied route source also advises keeping dogs out of the stream area.

Accessibility

Ham Lane has a good, flat surface for 750m between Mowhay Road and Fountains Crescent. Other routes have firm paths but include steps, slopes and uneven ground, so accessibility varies across the reserve.

Cost

Check before visiting

Water

Stream