Clouts Wood and Markham Banks Nature Reserve
Situated just outside Wroughton, Clouts Wood and Markham Banks is a spectacular and tranquil place to visit. The Wood is filled with clay and chalk springs and streams and has a variety of wild flora and fauna to see all year round. Each season brings a different experience. Markham Banks is situated next to the wood and comprises a series of undulating chalk grassland slopes with springs and a stream flowing through the valley bottom. The views from the top of the banks make the steep climb well worth the effort.
Clouts Wood has been an important woodland for local people for thousands of years. Once dominated by Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra), Dutch elm disease ravaged it in the 1970s and most of the elms in Clouts Wood have been removed. The disease had a dramatic affect on the White-letter Hairstreak butterfly (Satyrium w-album) that commonly feed on flowering elms; this species is now rare. The canopy of Clouts Wood today is mostly Oak (Quercus robur) and Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) trees although there is a range of other species present.
The valley in which Clouts Wood sits has been wooded since the ice age receded, and there are records of sales of coppice rights going back to the 1600’s. It has survived this long due to its steepness making it useless for agriculture. This longevity makes it very valuable for wildlife. Due to its value for wildlife the wood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Wildlife
Watch the video below of the wildlife of Clouts Wood and Markham Banks in the snow in January 2010.
In spring and summer the array of woodland wildlife includes wildflowers such as Wood Vetch (Vicia sylvatica), Nettle-leaved Bellflower (Campanula trachelium), Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), Yellow Archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon) and the rare Bath Asparagus (Ornithogalum pyrenaicum) also known as the Spiked Star of Bethlehem. In autumn the woodland floor is covered in fungi including Parasol Mushroom (Macrolepiota procera), Stump Puffball (Lycoperdon pyriforme) and some that flourish later into the winter such as the Velvet Shank Toadstool (Flammulina velutipes).
On Markham Banks, a variety of chalk grassland wildflowers can be found including Common Rockrose (Helianthemum nummularium), Horseshoe Vetch (Hippocrepis comosa), Spiny Restharrow (Ononis spinosa) and Wild Thyme (Thymus praecox).
Clouts Wood and Markham Banks can provide real close-up views of some wildlife species; you may also be lucky enough to see the wildlife in action. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major), Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris) and the Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita). When singing this bird sounds as though is repeating its name. Mammals also abound, you may see Fox (Vulpes vulpes), Badger (Meles meles), Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and several species of deer.
History and management
The wood is managed through coppicing that takes place in the winter. This opens up the woodland floor to allow for sunshine to reach the ground, stimulating wild flowers to bloom in spring and summer. These flowers provide important food for insects along with suitable breeding sites and protection.
Markham Banks is grazed to control the scrub and coarse grasses which would otherwise crowd out the wildflowers. Tor grass (Brachypodium pinnatum) is a particular problem at the site where it dominates the sward. It is a very difficult species to control because it is unpalatable to most breeds of livestock.
However, Exmoor ponies and Herdwick sheep have proved successful in controlling this invasive grass elsewhere so the Trust has acquired 6 Exmoors who now graze the site all year round. Sheep also graze the site at various times of the year to increase grazing pressure when necessary.
Other information
Dogs are allowed, but must be on a short leash at all times of year.
Best time to visit: Spring for woodland wildflowers, summer for trees, or autumn for fungi and spring to summer for grassland flowers.
Habitat: Woodland and chalk downland
Specialties of the reserve: Look out for the elegant Bath Asparagus in June – very unusual this far east of Bath.
Location: Leaving Wroughton on the A4361 towards Avebury, park in the first layby on the right-hand-side. Walk back along the road towards Wroughton on the opposite side of the road. Go through the first stile on the right signed Clouts Wood, this footpath will take you through Markham Banks to Clouts Wood. There are trails throughout the wood, which is located on a slope. In autumn and winter wear wellingtons or walking boots, as the steep terrain is often muddy. Grid reference: SU135799
