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Marsland Nature Reserve

About this route

Marsland Nature Reserve is a Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserve, which is a mixture of woodland, coastline and butterfly-filled meadows in a single stream valley.

Thoughtful management of the reserve has led to a significant rise in butterfly numbers over the past decade, showcasing the success of careful planning and practical conservation efforts, especially at a time when butterfly populations are declining in many other areas. In total, 34 butterfly species have been recorded at Marsland. It is known for its dramatic increase in small pearl bordered fritillaries – 1,636% between 1988 and 2010!

 

Getting Around
Facilities
Walking trails, Dogs on a lead.
Terrain
Access restricted to public rights of way. Please note that this nature reserve is not suitable for mobility scooters due to the varied terrain and the uneven, narrow footpaths.
Accessibility

Interesting information

Further along Marsland Valley, a network of paths meanders through a lush canopy of woodland, predominantly made up of oak, ash, holly, hazel, and sycamore. This habitat is home to a diverse array of woodland birds and supports a healthy population of dormice.

 

Small Pearl bordered Fritillary Neil Hulme 2
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Neil Hulme

You can explore more in this area

  • Short walks
    Photo of a section of Bude canal lined with trees
    10miles/
    16kms

    Bude Canal – the Aqueduct Trail

    This long and easy circular route meanders through the pretty borderlands of Devon and Cornwall. Its first half takes you from...
    Upper Tamar Lake Dam Copyright Trevor Rickard
    2.5miles/
    4kms

    Bude Canal – around Tamar Lakes

    This walk explores an inland section of the Bude Canal on the Devon- Cornwall border. Follow this short circular walk by doing...
    Photo looking along the coast past rocky cliffs to Mortehoe and Woolacombe from Morte Point
    6.25miles/
    10kms

    North Devon’s deadly coast

    Mortehoe is a small hilltop village on Devon’s northernmost coast. Despite its proximity to the holiday resort of Woolacombe, it retains...
  • Walking
    Photo of a section of Bude canal lined with trees
    10miles/
    16kms

    Bude Canal – the Aqueduct Trail

    This long and easy circular route meanders through the pretty borderlands of Devon and Cornwall. Its first half takes you from...
    Upper Tamar Lake Dam Copyright Trevor Rickard
    2.5miles/
    4kms

    Bude Canal – around Tamar Lakes

    This walk explores an inland section of the Bude Canal on the Devon- Cornwall border. Follow this short circular walk by doing...
    Photo looking along the coast past rocky cliffs to Mortehoe and Woolacombe from Morte Point
    6.25miles/
    10kms

    North Devon’s deadly coast

    Mortehoe is a small hilltop village on Devon’s northernmost coast. Despite its proximity to the holiday resort of Woolacombe, it retains...
  • Heaths
    Photo of Clum grassland meadow at Dunsdon

    Dunsdon

    Dunsdon reserve is an excellent example of a marshy, heathy type of vegetation known locally as Culm Grassland. There are also...
  • Wildlife Sites
    Photo of Clum grassland meadow at Dunsdon

    Dunsdon

    Dunsdon reserve is an excellent example of a marshy, heathy type of vegetation known locally as Culm Grassland. There are also...

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