Bentley Wood
Bentley Wood is a 1,700 acre nature reserve and SSSI located on the Wiltshire-Hampshire border with a 2,000-year history of human activity. Today it is owned by a charitable trust and managed by the Friends of Bentley Wood. The woodland has historical significance from WWII, when it was used to hide men, vehicles, and equipment in preparation for D-Day.
Area: 637.3 ha
Region: Near Lyndhurst
Address: Bentley Wood, Salisbury SP5, UK
Website: www.hiddenwiltshire.com/post/bentley-wood
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Miles of tracks and trails throughout. Trails are mostly broad and easy-going, though some areas (particularly in Blackmoor Copse) can be boggy. Waymarked trails in Blackmoor Copse. Easy to get lost if you don't stick to marked routes. Interpretation board at Ben Lane car park.
Best for
Walking, wildlife watching, historical interest
Wildlife
Nuthatches, purple emperor butterflies (scarce), buzzards, frogs at Blackmoor Ponds. Historically contained elk, bear, beaver, wolves, and wild boar.
History
Shaped by human activity for at least 2,000 years from Romano-British farmers and medieval huntsmen through to 19th-century woodland workers and 20th-century forestry. Blackmoor Copse was Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's first nature reserve (established 1962). WWII significance: used to hide men, vehicles, and equipment in preparation for D-Day; Livery Road was used to park large numbers of military vehicles. Blackmoor Ponds possibly created by a WWII German bomb.
Reviews
This is one of my favourite places to walk in the surrounding areas of Salisbury. Its huge, so you could spend 3 hours walking, or follow the maps and do a 30 min loop. Great for dog walking but be aware of the deer.
The best woodland I've ever seen. So beautiful at any time of year. Early April now, so large areas are covered in bluebells. Many deer set it off beautifully, but try to be quiet if you want to see them.
We come here for its beautiful running and walking routes. It also is great if you like to spot deer.