Northbrook Park
Northbrook Park will be a special new addition to the Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserves, nestled in-between two of Exeter’s Valley Parks: Riverside and Ludwell. This site is due to be managed by Devon Wildlife Trust from 2023.
Location
Know before you go
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
Anytime, the park is open all year round.Best time to visit
AutumnAbout the reserve
Northbrook Park was the former location for an approach golf course which closed in 2019.
Since the Northbrook Park has ceased to be used as an approach golf course the grass cutting regime has relaxed and the area is developing as a wilder and more tranquil space.
The land occupies a strategically important location, linking Ludwell and Riverside Valley Parks. Our proposal for the park is to create a wild arboretum, supporting community orchards, a wilder, healthier stream, and an activity hub; all of which will support community’s active involvement in the future of the park.
Ash dieback
The disease ash dieback is now widespread in the UK and is present at many of our nature reserves, so we carry out tree felling across our sites in winter months. For your own safety please observe temporary path diversions and closures.
Where possible we will leave affected ash trees in place to decay naturally as an important habitat for wildlife. We plan to only fell diseased ash trees which pose a threat to people or infrastructure. Before trees are felled, we will check whether any rare or protected wildlife is present. If it is, we will postpone or avoid felling these trees. No felling will take place during the bird nesting season.
DWT’s Saving Devon’s Treescapes project are working with communities, landowners and businesses to help make Devon's precious treescapes more resilient in the face of ash dieback. Find out how you can get involved here.
NOTICE: If you are visiting our reserves, please note that there have been instances of H5N1 Avian bird flu found in birds in Devon. There is very low risk to public health, but we do ask that if you come across any unusual or unexplained bird deaths on or near our reserves, please do not touch them and avoid allowing your dog to come into contact with dead birds. Please report them to Defra here or call 03459 335577 and also report your findings to DWT by email at contactus@devonwildlifetrust.org.
Species
Contact us
Wildflower displays at Ludwell Valley Park
Northbrook gets a new meadow
A new wildflower meadow is being created to bring colour and wildlife to this Exeter greenspace. This means that you will see some works taking place in the grassland areas of the park, over three weeks in late August and early September (weather dependent). To make this new meadow, there will be some machinery at the park during the preparation and planting period, but disruption to visitors should be minimal. Please try to avoid walking on the newly planted seed where possible. The meadow’s first flowers will appear next spring. Read more here.
We are currently exploring options for the redevelopment of the disused building and carpark onsite with Exeter City Council. The vision for Northbrook Park is to create a Wilder Learning hub in its place, which allows people of all ages and backgrounds to connect with nature and act for its recovery through volunteering and educational programmes.
During the first two years, at least 20 standard native trees will be planted throughout the park, including species such as pedunculate oak, hornbeam, aspen, and small leaved lime. Local rare and endemic species such as black poplar, Devon whitebeam, and wild service tree, will be included to highlight the diversity and value of native species. Using native canopy trees will help us meet our vision of a wild arboretum in Northbrook Park. This will support a variety of wildlife and provide tranquillity for visitors.
We will also be planting 1000 native shrubs and trees around the boundary of the park. This will help to reduce the noise pollution from the road, providing a quiet and tranquil space for both wildlife and people to enjoy.
Establishing a rich and diverse shrub layer will provide nectar sources and berries in the Autumn, attracting more insects and increase nesting opportunities for birds. These trees will include species such as hazel, wild cherry, alder buckthorn, guelder rose, wayfaring tree, hawthorn, holly, crab apple and willow.
Scrub and non-native invasive species will be thinned and managed to allow native trees to thrive. Native bulbs will be planted under and near trees to provide colour and interest in the spring and to support wildlife. During community bulb underplanting events, we will plant 2000 wild daffodil bulbs, alongside 1500 bulbs from a mixture of other native species, including wild garlic, wood anemone, bluebell, and primrose.
