Glapthorn Road, near Glapthorn and Oundle, Northamptonshire, PE8 5BD

Southwick Wood Nature Reserve

Ancient woodland

Place photograph

6.7

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Free

Cost

Peaceful

Feel

WoodlandRemote countrysideWalkersWildlife loversPhotographersCouples

Why it's Wildland

6.7

Part of a pair of ancient woodlands on the edge of the historic Rockingham Forest, Southwick Wood is known for its spring bluebells and changing mix of woodland trees, rides and glades.

This is more than a bluebell walk: Southwick Wood’s coppiced woodland, wildlife-rich glades and connections to the medieval Rockingham Forest give it real ecological character. Go in spring for the woodland flowers, but expect muddy ground underfoot.

Peaceful · Secluded · Ancient-feeling

Find your way

Open map

Glapthorn Road, near Glapthorn and Oundle, Northamptonshire, PE8 5BD

Opening map…

Explore around here Get directions

The experience

Follow the woodland rides at an easy pace, taking time to notice the spring flowers and the changing character of the rides and glades. Paths can be very wet and muddy, so sturdy footwear is sensible.

Things to do

Walk the woodland rides

Explore the level rides through the woodland, allowing for wet and muddy sections. The available route listing describes a loop, but check its map and current conditions before relying on it for navigation.

About 0.5–1 hour for the listed 1.7-mile loop

See the spring woodland flowers

Look for bluebells and dog’s mercury carpeting parts of the woodland floor, alongside primrose, wood speedwell, greater stitchwort and wood melick.

Watch for butterflies in rides and glades

Look out for speckled wood, gatekeeper and comma butterflies in the sunnier parts of the reserve.

Notice the woodland’s changing structure

Compare managed hazel coppice and mature trees with the rides and glades maintained to encourage wildflowers. Between the two woods, Dodhaws Wood is developing on land that was formerly arable.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · About 1 hour

Quick woodland escape

01
Start from the roadside layby between the two woodland blocks.
02
Follow the Southwick Wood rides at an easy pace, allowing extra time if the ground is muddy.
03
In spring, pause to look for bluebells and other woodland flowers; in sunny glades, look for butterflies.

Verified history

Short Wood is described by Wildlife Trust BCN as a fragment of Rockingham Forest, a medieval hunting forest. Much of Southwick Wood was replanted after elm trees were felled in the late 1960s because of Dutch elm disease. The area now called Dodhaws Wood was arable land when purchased by the Wildlife Trust in 2007; it is being allowed to develop into woodland through minimal intervention.

Hidden details

Find Dodhaws Wood’s young trees — Between Short Wood and Southwick Wood, look for the grassy area with young trees brought in by wind and birds. The Wildlife Trust describes it as former arable land, purchased in 2007 and now left to develop into woodland.

Listen for woodland birds — The Wildlife Trust notes that nightingales are occasionally heard in Short Wood. Southwick Wood also provides cover for visiting birds including willow warbler, woodcock and tawny owl.

When to go

April · May · June · July · August · September · No source-supported time-of-day recommendation.

Wildlife Trust BCN lists April to September as the best time to visit. Spring brings bluebells and other woodland flowers; autumn foliage is also noted in the supplied source row, but the official reserve page does not specify peak autumn months.

Rides can be very wet and muddy. Wear sturdy footwear, especially after rain. The reserve is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.

The route

ascent: 72 ft according to AllTrails
surface: Woodland rides; very wet and muddy in places. AllTrails describes heavy clay paths that can become muddy and slick after rain.
distance: 1.7 miles for the AllTrails-listed loop
duration: 0.5–1 hour according to AllTrails
difficulty: Easy according to AllTrails
route shape: Loop according to AllTrails
start point: Roadside area between Short Wood and Southwick Wood; the Wildlife Trust reserve location is given as Glapthorn Road, Glapthorn, PE8 5BD.
parking start: A dedicated roadside vehicle parking layby is reported between the two woodland blocks. Check current arrangements before travelling.

Spring bluebells and dog’s mercury
Managed hazel coppice and mature oak, ash and field maple
Wildlife-rich rides and glades
Views through the trees towards countryside and nearby villages

What to look for

In spring, look for bluebells, dog’s mercury, primroses, wood speedwell, greater stitchwort and wood melick. In sunny rides and glades, watch for speckled wood, gatekeeper and comma butterflies. Notice the mix of oak, ash, field maple, hazel and cherry, and the open, developing woodland between Southwick Wood and Short Wood.

The story

Archaeology

Best time to go

April–September; spring is best for bluebells and other woodland flowers, while autumn brings colourful foliage.

April to September is the Wildlife Trust’s stated visiting season. Visit in spring for bluebells and other woodland flowers; choose autumn for foliage colour.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers · Couples

Practical information

Opening & access

Wildlife Trust BCN reserve, open at all times with no entry fee. The rides are level but can be very wet and muddy; the reserve is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Dogs should be kept on a lead.

Parking

A roadside vehicle parking layby is reported between Short Wood and Southwick Wood. Check parking arrangements before travelling.

Check before visiting

Toilets

No entry fee. Toilet availability is not confirmed; check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Food & drink

No on-site café or food provision is confirmed; check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Dogs

Dogs on a lead.

Accessibility