Nature reserve bridleway connects two villages

Two villages have been connected by foot for the first time via a bridleway through a nature reserve.

The 2km (1.24-mile) route between Firsdown and Pitton, east of Salisbury, will be enjoyed by walkers, horse riders and cyclists, said Wiltshire Council.

It runs through Roundbarrow Nature Reserve, land that is being transformed from an intensive dairy farm to chalk grassland by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

Councillor Paul Sample said: "This bridleway will give residents and visitors a front row view to see landscape restoration in action – and will encourage people to get out and about to enjoy nature and all its benefits."

The reserve is being created on 120 hectares of former farmland being leased to the RSPB by the council.

It is hoped the reserve will attract ground-nesting birds such as the rare stone curlew and lapwing.

The idea for the bridleway came after the council sought local opinions on ways to enhance the area.

Mr Sample said: "We look forward to welcoming people to this very picturesque part of the county and for them to enjoy the resurgence of wildlife in the adjacent fields."

Patrick Cashman, RSPB site manager for Wiltshire's nature reserves, said the charity was "delighted" to be working with the council to "achieve something meaningful at scale for wildlife".

He added: "This is a rare opportunity to create a new downland nature reserve from scratch.

"Users of the new permissive bridleway will be able to witness the changing view over the coming years from species-poor grasslands and crops towards a more colourful vista as a haven for the characteristic birds, bees, butterflies, and blooms of the Wiltshire chalk."

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