Radford Woods covers 40.2 hectares (that's around 40 full-sized football pitches) and is located in the south-east of Plymouth and is a place where you can relax, walk, play and explore nature.
Radford Woods comprises meadows, woodlands and marshland which drain into the River Plym at Hooe Lake.
Why not take your family for a stroll along the extensive path network enjoying the sounds and sights that nature has to offer? Make up your own story by following the fairy trail signs!
Wildlife
The site provides a valuable landscape and biodiversity resource for the area and is designated as a County Wildlife Site.
Species we've spotted include:
- Ancient woodland indicators such as wild garlic, moschatel, pignut, yellow pimpernel, wood millet, bluebell and primrose
- Deptford Pink
- Badger
For more detailed information on access and the management see documents below:
Education pack
The Plymouth Woodland Project has created a specially adapted version of their woodland education pack for schools looking to use Radford Woods in Plymstock, compiled in partnership with the Friends of Radford Woods.
Radford Woods education pack [PDF, 9MB]
Walks and features
- Network of paths throughout the site
- Follow the blue or red routes around the reserve, each route takes about one hour of steady walking, path surfaces are uneven in places with some steps and steep slopes
- Fairy trail for children, follow signs
- Extensive marsh and wetland area
- Extensive wildflower meadows
- Pond dipping platform and outdoor classroom
- The Radford Bird Hide is available for use by the community. Requests through the hosting events on our land page
- Benches throughout the reserve
- Orchard
- Join the Friends of Radford Woods, a group of local volunteers who help care for the site.
Remember this is a Local Nature Reserve, please be considerate to wildlife and to other users:
- Don't pick wild flowers or plants
- Don't disturb animals
- Take your litter home
- Keep dogs under control
- Keep dogs out of stream area
- Clean up after your dogs
- No camping
- No motorbikes
- No fires
Access
- Steps and steep slopes at most entrances
Travel and directions
- 800m from Plymstock Broadway
- Cycle route runs immediately west of the site at Hooe Road
- Accessible using public transport with bus stops along Hooe Road to the west of the reserve
- No official car park (some car parking available on nearby roads)