Bentley Wood Walk

7.2 miles (11.6 km)

This circular walk explores Bentley Wood near Salisbury in Wiltshire.
The wood is a 1,700-acre (688 ha) nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) located 6 miles east of Salisbury on the Wiltshire-Hampshire border. It features a large contiguous area of mixed woodland, including ancient broadleaved species and conifers, as well as open meadows and grassy "rides".... Managed by a charitable trust, the wood offers free public access to a network of trails suitable for walking, mountain biking, and birdwatching.
The reserve is a nationally significant habitat for butterflies, with over 35 species recorded. It is notably one of the best UK sites for the rare purple emperor, which is most active in early-to-mid July. Other key species include the white admiral, pearl-bordered fritillary, and white-letter hairstreak. Wildlife such as roe and fallow deer, badgers, and birds like nightjars and goshawks are present year-round.
Historical features include remnants of WWII use, when the wood housed US troops and military equipment in Nissen huts before D-Day. Major access points include the main car park on Ben Lane and entrances near the villages of West Dean and Farley. Popular routes include a moderate 9.3 km (5.8 mi) loop from West Dean and an 11.7 km (7.3 mi) circular trail. Paths are often heavy clay and prone to becoming extremely muddy after rainfall.