Warleigh Point

Woodland walks give way to stunning estuary views on the edge of Plymouth

Location

Station Road
Tamerton Foliot

Nr Plymouth

Devon

PL5 2SL

OS Map Reference

SX 450 608

Know before you go

Size

30 hectares

Entry fee

Parking information

Limited roadside parking on Station Road

Bicycle parking

Grazing animals

Walking trails

A level path leads to estuary views - this is suitable for most visitors. Some paths elsewhere have steps and can be muddy.

Access

A level path leads to estuary views - this is suitable for most visitors. Some paths elsewhere have steps and can be muddy.

Dogs

On a lead

Visitors must clean up after their dogs. Commercial dog walkers are not permitted to exercise dogs on this nature reserve.

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

All year round

About the reserve

Warleigh point nature reserve is one of Plymouth's little secrets. Less than three miles from the city centre this is an oasis of calm, a place to get away from the bustle of Devon's biggest urban centre.

The nature reserve's well-walked paths take you through woodland, dotted with ancient oaks, before giving great views of the Tamar-Tavy Estuaries and beyond into the rolling Cornish countryside.

Species

Habitat

Contact us

Devon Wildlife Trust

Contact number: 01392 279244

Contact email: contactus@devonwildlifetrust.org

Environmental designation

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)

Female great spotted woodpecker sits on top of tree — Female great spotted woodpecker. Photo, Neil Bygrave

Great for birds

A mix of trees and water make the reserve an excellent place to spot a wide range of birds. Wander through Warleigh's woodland and you can see nuthatches, treecreepers and great spotted woodpeckers.

Using the trees as a natural green hide, it's also possible to spot curlews, oystercatchers, redshanks, little egrets and shelducks feeding on the mudflats which surround the reserve at low tide. Look too for some rare flora in the shape of a scattering of wild service trees (a tell-tale sign of ancient woodland) and the evergreen leaves of the shrub, butcher's broom.

With the help of local volunteers we've created a series of woodland glades in the recent years, allowing sunshine to flood in. This has created the perfect place for butterflies including speckled woods and silver-washed fritillaries.

Cured in under an hour

A circular walk, taking in Warleigh's woodland, its estuary views, its glades and its small stream, should only take you 45 minutes to complete - making this reserve the perfect speedy antidote to the stresses of city life!