Vincients Wood

Vincients Wood is a small nature reserve on the western edge of Chippenham in Wiltshire. It covers about five hectares of semi-natural broadleaved woodland. The wood lies next to housing on three sides and the A350 bypass on the west. A medieval woodbank and ditch split the wood into two unequal parts. The southern section is older and classed as ancient woodland. The wood is managed by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, which has owned the site since 1990. Coppicing of hazel and selective tree removal create sunny glades that help wildlife. Since 2023 infected ash trees have been removed to control a fungal disease, sometimes limiting access. A footpath circles most of the reserve for roughly one mile, with several entrances. Visitors find a quiet woodland with a nature trail leaflet available at the north entrance. Signs ask people to stay on paths, avoid litter and leave wildflowers untouched. The reserve shelters red foxes and many plants and fungi, making it a small but important wildlife haven close to town.