Blakehill Farm - Visiting The Nature Reserve
PLEASE READ FULLY BEFORE VISITING
THE NATURE RESERVE IS OWNED AND MANAGED BY THE WILTSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST
MOST OF THE FORMER AIRFIELD IS DEMOLISHED AND NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
There are NO public facilities on site unless on special open days
There is NO museum or visitors centre on site
**** Blakehill is an important UK Nature Reserve ****
To avoid risk of disturbance to the nesting birds and grassland habitat;
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Drone flying and metal detecting is not permitted without previous written authority from the WWT.
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Dogs are not allowed on site - once a nesting bird sees a dog it may abandon a nest.
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Keep to the public areas only - access to areas that are marked 'no entry' or 'private' is forbidden
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Keep to the footpaths.
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Do not climb fences - access to the central grassland is not permitted under any circumstance.
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Livestock is roaming free - close all gates - Bulls may also be on site - observe warning signs.
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Beware of farm traffic.
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Leave no litter - this is a hazard to wildlife.
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Secure your valuables in your vehicle, or take them with you.
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Respect the silence and the history of this former RAF station.
Volunteer WWT Wardens regularly carry out visits to the site
Cricklade SN6 6RA
OS map 169 grid ref: SU073923
Blakehill Farm is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs
Dogs are not allowed
Total complex 263.69 hectares
Blakehill Farm 243.1 hectares
https://www.wiltshirewildlife.org
It is simple - Blakehill is a nesting site for ground nesting birds who rely on the peaceful habitat of the former airfield to breed. The grassland is carefully managed to ensure the optimum conditions for breeding are maintained. Bringing a dog onto site introduces a would be threat to these nesting birds. As soon a bird takes flight and sees a dog it may abandon the nest, or worst case, we risk a dog slipping a leash and attacking livestock. As you can see by the photos above, these nests are tiny and very easily destroyed by persons entering the central plateau at the wrong time of year, without permission and unguided. Areas that are open to the public are clearly marked on the information boards and are outlined in this website.
If you have a care for the wildlife reserve, you will not bring dogs on site or climb fences to access the central plateau, the runway areas or anywhere marked as private - as well as historians for the site we are also a wardens - you may be asked to leave. In some extreme cases we have involved the police's rural crimes unit.
The rules are the same for us - for all those who flew and those that continue to fly, please respect the site. It is a place of sanctuary and peace. Bring binoculars and maintain a respectful distance.