Three Groves Wood

Three Groves Wood (c) Nathan Millar

Three Groves Wood (c) Nathan Millar

Three Groves Wood

Three Groves Wood is part of a large block of ancient woodland dominated by beech on the north side of the Frome Valley.

Location

Between the villages of Chalford, Oakridge and France Lynch
Chalford
GL6 7NS

OS Map Reference

SO911030
What3Words: extremes.prestige.moderated
A static map of Three Groves Wood

Know before you go

Size
3 hectares
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Entry fee

Free
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Parking information

There is a parking space available by the Woodland Trust gate next to the reserve entrance, or along the road close to Chalford Vale Recreation Ground
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Grazing animals

None
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Walking trails

Three Groves Wood is part of the Golden Valley Wildlife Way, a local trail between Stroud and Cirencester

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Access

There is some steep terrain which can become muddy and slippery after heavy rain

Accessed via a gate from the road 

Dogs

image/svg+xmlDogs permitted

When to visit

Opening times

Open access throughout the year

Best time to visit

Spring to autumn

About the reserve

Discover a secluded, mixed ancient woodland dominated by beech trees on the north side of the Frome Valley. As its name suggests, Three Groves Wood is made up of three separate groves each with their own name: Pearce, Gassons and Teals.

Visit its steep slopes in spring to see a carpet of bluebells, along with primrose, dog-violet and yellow archangel. Butterflies commonly seen within this shady nature reserve include silver-washed fritillary and gatekeeper, while woodland snails such as the bulin snail Ena montana and brown snail Zenobiella subrufescens can also be found, molluscs which are restricted to ancient woodland habitats. Birds such as nuthatch, spotted flycatcher and green woodpecker visit regularly.

More detailed directions

There are two pedestrian access points to Three Groves Wood.

The first is via a gate on the road that runs along the valley on the south of the woodland. Map grid reference: SO911029, What3Words: umbrellas.imported.flickers.

The other entrance is via Parish & Oldhills Wood, owned by The Woodland Trust.