A Devon Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve

Leave the city centre to explore the fields, cherry orchards and wooded lanes of Ludwell Valley Park. Follow trails along the Northbrook stream or climb to the top of Pynes Hill for stunning views over Exeter.

About the reserve

Ludwell Valley Park is one of six Exeter Valley Parks managed by Devon Wildlife Trust

The park is a working farm on the edge of the busy city of Exeter. Many of the fields provide free access to people wishing to enjoy this tranquil setting.

Next to the farmland is Wonford Playing Fields where there is space to kick a ball around, jog with the dog, or take a leisurely stroll beside the Northbrook. The valley is a real wildlife haven. Harvest mice nest in the fields, whitethroats and blackcaps skulk in the hedgerows and orange-tip and painted lady butterflies feed on the wildflowers.

Getting around the park

Access is from Ludwell Lane, Topsham Road, Parkland Drive and Pynes Hill. There is a range of circular walks.

https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/nature-reserves/ludwell-valley-park  

 

Photo: Derek Harper https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6546773 

Caring for the park

Ludwell is valuable for the large numbers of farmland birds that live there - birds such as chaffinch, goldfinch, as well as the rarer bullfinch and meadow pipit.

 

https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/Ludwell%20Valley%20Park%20Download%20leaflet%20FINAL.pdf 

 

 

Getting there by Bus

       

BusTimes.org is the unofficial home of bus, coach and ferry transport information. This interactive map shows bus stops and live bus positions with links to routes and time tables.

https://bustimes.org/map#15/50.71/-3.494

 

Getting there by Bicycle 

As of August 2021, the best traffic-free cycle route to Ludwell Valley Park is to follow Exeter Cycle Route E1/NCN34 along the River Exe, turn off at Ducke's Marsh, pass Exeter Crematorium to the Topsham Road entrance of Ludwell Valley Park.

From Polsloe, you can cycle through Hamlyn Lane playing fields, follow the cycle paths along Vaughan Road and Sweetbriar Lane. Rifford Road is a suggested route on Travel Devon's Cycle Routes map, but you may prefer to follow the Exeter Green Circle walking route through Heath Road and Woodwater Lane which leads to the northern entrance of Ludwell Valley Park.

The almost completely traffic-free Exeter Cycle Route E2 (Exminster - Broadclyst) passes to the east of the Ludwell Valley Park near the Rydon Lane (A379) entrance

Exeter Cycle Route E9 (City Centre - Newcourt) goes through Ludwell Valley Park, but this is not yet traffic free.

https://maptest.devon.gov.uk/portaldvl/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=48832162372544a693edba4147790ef5 

 

Getting there by Foot

Ludwell Valley Park is on the Exeter Green Circle

 

Ludwell Life

The overall purpose of Ludwell Life is to protect and increase the social and environmental value of Ludwell Valley Park – for people and for wildlife.

http://ludwelllife.org.uk/

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