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Photo: Brian Robert Marshall · CC BY-SA 2.0
Shaw · Council woodland

Shaw Forest Park & Shaw Tip

Our verdict

An interesting one for the story alone — a rubbish tip turned nature reserve — with genuinely good views from the higher ground. It's still a work in progress, so expect some paths to be rougher or newer than others.

Swindon's only urban forest, created on the site of a disused landfill and now home to wetland, wildflower meadow and scrub habitats with juniper and alder alongside young woodland. It's part of the wider 40-hectare Great Western Community Forest and still being developed, with some footpaths only recently opened — but the elevated ground gives good views over the surrounding area.

Swindon's only urban forest, created on a former landfill site and still being developed.

Where it is