Paices Wood Country Parkland

A wonderful place for a walk through varied scenery including woodland, heathland, lakes and ponds.

Location

A340 south of
Aldermaston
Berkshire

RG7 4PG

Know before you go

Size

35 hectares

Parking information

Off the A340 south of Aldermaston. Follow the brown Country Park signs. There are three car parks.

Walking trails

There are a number of waymarked routes around the reserve.

Access

Routes around the lakes are generally level but there are several steeper routes, particularly through the woodland.

Dogs

Dogs permitted

When to visit

Opening times

Nov to Feb: 7am-4pm
March: 7am-6pm
April: 7am-8pm
May: 7am-9pm
June to Aug: 7am-10pm
Sept to Oct: 7am-8pm

Best time to visit

All year round

About the reserve

Beautiful all year round

In spring bluebells carpet the woodland floor. On sunny days during the summer you can see butterflies such as the common blue fluttering across woodland clearings. Later in the year keep an eye out for fungi such as chicken of the woods springing up on logs and stumps of wood.

Refuge for amphibians

On one side of the lake is a network of ponds and grassland filled with amphibian life.

Fishing available

Seven Lakes Angling run a day ticket fishery in the park. Tickets available on the banks or buy online.

Things to do

Wildlife walks: Orange (approx 3 miles) guides you around different features such as the lakes, woodland and amphibian area. Blue (approx 1.3 miles) concentrates on woodland, ranging from alder coppice in the wet bottom of the valley to sweet chestnut and cherry trees further up the valley.

Management

Paices Wood is managed by the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust alongside the landowner, Young Estates & Land Ltd, on behalf of West Berkshire Council.