Welcome to Bircham Valley.
The Trust is keen to give patients staff and visitors access to green space, for a walk, quiet reflection or an outdoor picnic, there are two green areas at the rear of the hospital, Bircham Valley and the Pond picnic area both of which have been refurbished and are open for all hospital users to enjoy. These areas are located at the rear of the hospital and signposted on the main road that runs around the outside of the hospital.
The Pond is a quiet green area with picnic tables and a view of the duck pond and its entertaining occupants.
The Bircham Valley Local Nature Reserve is located along the southern side of Derriford Hospital and owned by Plymouth City Council. Zest supported by the Forestry Commission has co-ordinated a project partnership with Plymouth City Council, Plymouth Hospitals, and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BCTV) to make the valley more open and accessible to hospital users. This work has been made possible by grants from the Forestry Commission, and the woodland will be managed on sustainable principles.
Restoration work has included adding new footpaths and clearing existing ones, as well as building new stiles and footbridges. Some new trees have been planted, and the grasslands cleared of brambles and bracken. New fences have been built to keep stock out and protect the natural habitats. A picnic area with benches has been set up close to the Valley entrance along with information boards at the two main entrances and a leaflet has been produced giving information about the valley and showing the three marked paths.
click here to download a copy of the information board located at the entrance closest to the hospital
The work was completed and the area opened to the public in July 2009.
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