Venlaw Community Woodland

Venlaw Community Woodland, Peebles, extends over 3.5 hectares and is located northeast of the town centre, on the South side of Venlaw Hill. The area on the western foothill of Venlaw is mentioned in the 'Crying of the Burgh Boundaries' during the annual Riding of the Marches, an integral part of the historic Peebles March Riding and Beltane Queen Festival in June. Venlaw Wood comprises predominantly mature parkland trees, with a mixture of plantation conifers and younger broadleaves. The larger trees are mainly Beech and Oak, the latter marking the location of an old path running through the highest part of the wood. The woodland is fairly open under these mature trees and views of the Tweed valley and surrounding hills can be enjoyed from various vantage points. Venlaw is the closest woodland to Peebles Town Centre, offering a valuable resource and providing a recreational amenity for both tourists and the local community.

Venlaw Community Woodland covers two contiguous areas of land forming part of Peebles Common Good Fund, which is administered by Scottish Borders Council (SBC) as Trustees. Following approaches to SBC and the Common Good Trustees by the founders of Venlaw Community Woodland, a Management Agreement now exists between SBC and Borders Forest Trust, together with an Agreement between BFT and Venlaw Community Woodland. As part of the Management Agreement, VCW and BFT will permit members of the public on foot onto the land for free informal enjoyment of the amenity.

Access

The main entrance is through the old estate gates at Venlaw South Lodge, off Venlaw Quarry Road, accessing the right of way, which also provides a pedestrian link with Castle Venlaw Hotel. This gated access is only suitable for pedestrians. From the former estate road, various informal paths link through the woodland providing circular walks of between 30 minutes and an hour. The woodland may also be accessed from the higher area of Venlaw Quarry Road, where an old track branches off towards Glenbield, the Soonhope Valley and beyond to Glentress Forest. The rough, informal woodland paths, which can be muddy following wet weather, are not suitable for wheelchairs. Responsible access to the woodland exists in terms of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, and dogs are welcome when kept under proper control. The woodland paths are not considered suitable for use by horses or bikes.

How to reach Venlaw

Entering Peebles from the east or west, make your way to Edinburgh Road, (A703). The main access to Venlaw Community Woodland is from Edinburgh Road, (opposite March Street & Brown Brothers Car Showroom) and Venlaw Quarry Road. Car parking is available nearby (250 metres) in East Station Car Park off Edinburgh Road (100 metres north of Innerleithen Road). (OS Grid Reference NT253409)

How to contact us

Contact the Venlaw Community Woodland Secretary at venlawwoodland@yahoo.co.uk or via the link on BFT website.