Old Sludge Beds

Paths and boardwalks allow you to get among the reed beds and ponds of this wetland reserve.

Location

Walk from University of Exeter Boathouse car park
Exeter

OS Map Reference

SX 950 889
A static map of Old Sludge Beds

Know before you go

Size
5 hectares
z

Entry fee

No

Grazing animals

No

Walking trails

Access is along a 2km path and there are no benches/resting places until you reach the reserve itself. Allow an hour to walk from the car park and around the reserve.

Access

Boardwalks and paths are level, some steps. Access is along a 2km path from the University Boathouse, pass to the right (canal side) of the South West Water treatmnent plant. There are no benches/resting places until you reach the reserve itself. Contact the Trust for disabled access information

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

All year round

About the reserve

We probably could have come up with a better name for this often over-looked nature reserve! But the 'Old Sludge Beds' does at least hint at the history behind the place.

 

Ash dieback

The disease ash dieback is now widespread in the UK and is present at many of our nature reserves, so we carry out tree felling across our sites in winter months. For your own safety please observe temporary path diversions and closures.

Where possible we will leave affected ash trees in place to decay naturally as an important habitat for wildlife. We plan to only fell diseased ash trees which pose a threat to people or infrastructure. Before trees are felled, we will check whether any rare or protected wildlife is present. If it is, we will postpone or avoid felling these trees. No felling will take place during the bird nesting season.

DWT’s Saving Devon’s Treescapes project are working with communities, landowners and businesses to help make Devon's precious treescapes more resilient in the face of ash dieback. Find out how you can get involved here.

 

NOTICE: If you are visiting our reserves, please note that there have been instances of H5N1 Avian bird flu found in birds in Devon. There is very low risk to public health, but we do ask that if you come across any unusual or unexplained bird deaths on or near our reserves, please do not touch them and avoid allowing your dog to come into contact with dead birds. Please report them to Defra here or call 03459 335577 and also report your findings to DWT by email at contactus@devonwildlifetrust.org.

Contact us

Devon Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01392 279244

Environmental designation

Ramsar
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
Special Protection Areas (SPA)

Location map

This site was once the resting place for much of Exeter's treated sewage. However, in 1969 the job of cleaning up after the city came to rest with the South West Water plant which sits next door.

Today the Old Sludge Beds is an altogether more welcoming place to wildlife and people. 

Water rail wading through the water

Water rail. Photo, Sherie New

Don't miss out 

Despite this lots of visitors to the Exe Estuary and even many local people still miss out on its natural charms.

This is a shame because its boardwalks and paths bring you close to some interesting wildlife and provide good views of the neighbouring Exe Ship Canal.  

Cetti's warbler in a tree

Cetti's warbler. Photo, Sherie New

In spring and summer the reserve is an important place for migrating songbirds including Cetti's warblers.

Old Sludge Beds is also a great reserve for insect watching, with dragonflies offering some of the most spectacular action. Visit on a warm evening and you'll also be rewarded by the sight of bats looking to clutch a meal as they fly above the pathside reed beds and ponds.  

In winter the pace of wildlife slows. Even so, the Old Sludge Beds can still offer the chance of seeing a bittern or a water rail skulking in the reeds. 

 Explore the Exe Valley from here

A trip to Old Sludge Beds can be combined with a visit to look over the nearby Exe Reed Beds nature reserve. For those wanting more, why not take the River Exe Wild Walk which links the reserve to Devon Wildlife Trust's Cricklepit Mill in the heart of historic Exeter?

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