With Nigel Vile Southwick Country Park
Most visitors to southwick Country Park, just west of trowbridge, simply follow the most obvious gravelled path around what is a little-known rural idyll.
This walk, however, detours into some of the adjoining fields, still all part of this 100-acre site. In particular, the walk takes in three fields, known as Village Green, sleeper Field and sheep Field. A walk that is ideal for dogs.
to quote from one website: “southwick is a 100-acre recreational parkland predominantly grassland made up from a number of fields. A series of paths link the fields, with a circular path. The network of hedges, stream, small woodland and pond offers varied wildlife habitats. There is also a Nature Centre attached with a range of animals and a cafe for teas and lunches.”
What wildlife might be expected? of course, it is seasonal but another website lists the following (plus flora and fauna) – fly agaric and common frogs, turkey tails and pygmy shrews, kingfisher and jays... plus a whole lot more besides. so, it comes as no surprise to find that the site has been designated a Local Nature Reserve.
Also located within this country park is the Hope Nature Centre with its animal park (admission fees do apply). This is ideal for young children, with its collection of animals including goats, sheep, pigs, donkeys and alpaca. Children will enjoy hand feeding some of these creatures, and will no doubt appreciate the play area, described online as “awesome”.
Adjoining the nature centre is an excellent cafe, that serves breakfasts, lunch and snacks – the breakfast being especially good.
one final practical note, the site offers a 5k Park Run on saturdays at 9am. so it’s best to avoid at this time if you are not a runner due to parking issues, but highly recommended should you wish to give your weekend a kick-start. It is free and open to all abilities, but do register if you wish to receive a time. And if you cannot run, I am reliably informed that there is now a “Park Walk” incorporated into the morning.
Getting there
Follow the A36 south from Bath to the Beckington Bypass before taking the A361 towards Trowbridge. In 3½ miles, just beyond the centre of Southwick, the country park is on the left-hand side. the Village Green.
2. Walk all of the way around this open space to reach a footbridge and rejoin the main gravelled path. Turn right and follow this winding path for 250 yards to a footbridge on the right by a litter bin. Cross this bridge into the Sleeper Field. Walk around this field to a point halfway down its far side and turn right by an oak tree through woodland into the adjoining field known as the Sheep Field.
3. Turn right and, having passed a seat, keep left at a fork and walk around the end of a belt of trees. Keep left beyond this belt of trees – ie do not follow a tempting right turn into the adjoining field – and continue walking down the edge of the Sheep Field to reach a footbridge and the main gravelled path. Turn right and, having passed under some electricity wires and past a seat, turn right on reaching open ground and walk along to the car park by the Hope Nature Centre Cafe. Then follow the road to the left back to the main car park by the A361.