Aylesbeare Common

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Address
RSPB Aylesbeare Common, , Joney’s Cross car park. (This is off the A3052 opposite Aylesbeare Common entrance - SY 057897)
Grid ref
SY057898

Enjoy a walk over quiet heathland, where the woodland fringes, streams and ponds abound with butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. Don't miss the chance to see Dartford warblers and stonechats during the summer months. Or stay late into the evening to see nightjars hunting moths at dusk.

Plan your visit

Opening times

Open at all times.

Entrance charges

Free entrance to RSPB members
Yes
Adults
Free, but donations are very welcome.
Children
Free, but donations are very welcome.

Facilities

  • No visitor centre
  • Car park
  • Toilets off-site
  • Accessible toilets off-site
  • Pushchair friendly
  • No Refreshments
  • Guided walks
  • Viewing point
  • Nature trails
  • Shop off-site

Accessibility

How to get here

By train

Exeter St Davids/Central is the nearest station, 8 miles (12 km) east on A3052.

By bus

Buses 9 and 9A, request stop at Joneys Cross.

By bike

Buzzard trail 52.

By road

Eight miles (12.8 km) east of Exeter. Six miles (9.5 km) east from the M5 on the A3052. Travel 0.5 mile (0.8 km) past the Halfway Inn, turn right towards Hawkerland and the car park is immediately on the left.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Get directions from Google Maps
RSPB reserves on Google Earth

What will the weather be like?

15 degrees, Cloudy

Contact Aylesbeare Common

  • RSPB Aylesbeare Common, , Joney’s Cross car park. (This is off the A3052 opposite Aylesbeare Common entrance - SY 057897)
  • aylesbeare.common@rspb.org
  • 01395 233655

What will you see?

Our star species

Seasonal highlights

Spring brings an influx of warblers and vocal yellowhammers.

In summer, you can see Dartford warblers and nightjars, as well as some reptiles.

During autumn, the heather is in flower. Keep an eye out for hobbies hunting dragonflies.

In winter keep your eye out for snipes and winter thrushes. 

About Aylesbeare Common

Habitat

Aylesbeare Common is made up of quiet heathland, with woodland fringes, streams and ponds abound with butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. 

Conservation

We are working to maintain and enhance the heath for the benefit of birds such as Dartford warblers and nightjars, as well as other wildlife such as southern damselfly and silver studded blue. We manage the site using a range of specialist techniques to ensure a rich diversity of habitats across the heath, maintaining a balance of mixed aged heather and gorse, ensuring there is enough bare ground, managing invasive pine and bracken to keep the heathland open. 

Site information

As a great place for wildlife, Aylesbeare Common is recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Natura 2000 site.

It is managed with kind permission from Clinton Devon Estates.

Latest forum posts

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Activities and events

Events

Wednesday 23 May
Nightjar walk at RSPB Aylesbeare nature reserve
Devon
Friday 1 June
Dam a Stream!
Devon
Thursday 7 June
Nightjar walk at RSPB Aylesbeare nature reserve
Devon
Saturday 23 June
Roundhouse Big Wild Sleepout at RSPB Aylesbeare
Devon
Tuesday 26 June
Southern Damselfly Walk and Survey
Devon
More events

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