The view of the Tamar-Tavy estuary from Warleigh Point. Photo, Simon Williams
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Access to this Devon Wildlife Trust managed nature reserve/site
We recognise access to nature is hugely important to wellbeing, but at this difficult time, we need to have the health of our staff and the community at the forefront of our mind - including neighbours to our nature reserves. Nature reserve car parks are therefore temporarily closed, and we are asking people not to drive/travel to our sites. For those who live locally and may be accessing sites for the purposes of their daily exercise, we ask that everyone observe government restrictions on outdoor access and ensure guidelines on social distancing are always followed.
Please be aware that key staff will be accessing this site for regular livestock and health and safety checks.
Advice and rules on public access may change. Please keep up to date on the status of access to this site and also to benefit from lots of great information about our work, about wildlife and about how you can take action for Devon’s stunning natural environment, by visiting www.devonwildlifetrust.org and by following us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram
Our work for local wildlife continues and remains as important as ever. To find out more about ways in which you can help and enjoy wildlife at home join our FREE e-news and to support our work visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org/support-us
Location
Tamerton Foliot
OS Map Reference
SX 450 608
Know before you go
Entry fee
NoParking information
Limited roadside parking on Station RoadBicycle parking
NoGrazing animals
NoWalking 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
When to visit
Opening times
Open at all timesBest time to visit
All year roundAbout 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.
Contact us
Environmental designation
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!
Little egrets. Photo, Neil Bygrave
Redshank
Warleigh Point nature reserve. Photo, Simon Williams
Woodruff. Photo, Mike Symes
Speckled wood butterfly. Photo, Chris Root
Tawny owl