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 picnic area and the Bircham Valley both located at the rear of the hospital and signposted on the main road that runs around the hospital.

The Pond is a quiet green area with picnic tables and a view of the duck pond and its entertaining occupants.

BirchamValleyLocal Nature Reserve:
The Valley is a beautiful woodland space with a designated picnic area with picnic tables, and woodland walks. Three of the walks are signposted  

 Download a copy of the Nature Reserve layout and routes 

Things to See and Do in Bircham Valley:
Whether you are on a lunch break, waiting for an appointment, or visiting a friend or relative, why not take a break and visit Bircham Valley for some fresh air and a change of scenery.

A herd of deer still live in the valley, and there is evidence of badgers, a fallen tree with a split stump could be a bat roost, so keep your eyes peeled! The woods are dominated by oak, ash, beech, and wild cherry trees if you look carefully you might even see a rare purple orchid growing.

Fed by water running down from the valley sides, a stream flows through the area, before eventually feeding into the River Plym.  

At the top of the valley is a Wetlands area; with a boardwalk path across streams, ponds, marshes and water meadows. Here you’ll see luscious vegetation and dragonflies, damsel flies, frogs and many other species.  

There are three short walks that you can follow through the valley – or, if you prefer, there is a picnic area and plenty of quiet spots with some benches where you can sit back and relax.

This is an unspoilt, high quality natural environment that needs protecting, so we ask you respect it. Please don’t drop litter or take anything you find here home with you.

The valley is owned by Plymouth City Council, Zest supported by the Forestry Commission has been leading a project partnership with Plymouth Hospitals, Plymouth City Council, and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BCTV) to make the valley more accessible to hospital users.This work has been helped by grants from the Forestry Commission and the woodland will be managed on sustainable principles.