Bentley Wood

Bentley Wood (grid reference SU250295), together with the adjacent Blackmoor Copse, form one of the largest contiguous areas of woodland in Wiltshire, England.

The site is important for butterflies, with species present including purple emperor, white admiral and pearl-bordered fritillary.

[1] In 1950 Bentley Wood was acquired by the Forestry Commission, which undertook a large replanting programme to fill in the spaces that had been cleared to accommodate military facilities in the WWII period.

In 1983 the UK Government decided to sell much of the woodland owned by the Forestry Commission, including Bentley Wood.

The Bentley Wood Charitable Trust[2] that she had formed was guided initially by Ralph Whitlock, a local farmer, conservationist and broadcaster.