Our verdict
A genuinely special butterfly wood and one of the best in the county for it — time a visit for late spring or high summer if lepidoptera are the draw, though it's a pleasant woodland walk regardless of the season.
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's very first reserve, protected since 1962 and renowned as one of the county's best woods for butterflies — 25 species recorded, including the pearl-bordered fritillary, purple emperor, silver-washed fritillary and white admiral. Spring and summer glades are sprinkled with violets, primroses, bluebells, wood anemone and common spotted orchid.
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserve — free to explore on foot; many are dog-free to protect wildlife.