Hazeley Heath

Hazeley Heath is a surviving vestige of a once sprawling lowland heathland of south England. As well as heathland, habitats include some mire/bog and deciduous woodland.

This tranquil heathland is home to some very special wildlife such as nightjars, tree pipits, woodlarks and silver-studded blue butterflies. These heathland specialists depend on a habitat which is rarer than the Amazon rainforest.

Lowland heath still faces significant threats that put pressure on the specialised wildlife that rely on a fragile habitat. If heathland is lost, so is its unique wildlife. See more Here

https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/hazeley-heath/

This is one of the largest tracts of lowland heathland in the region where 90% has been lost in the past 100 years. This endangered environment supports an array of plant and animal communities and it is because of this rich biodiversity that it has been notified a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), by Natural England. It is also part of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA) for its heathland birds.

Hazeley Heath is a peaceful and relaxing environment for those wishing to enjoy nature at its best. The southern section of the common is owned and managed by Hart District Council and the northern section is owned by the RSPB.

NB. Dogs must be kept on a leash on paths between March and September due to ground-nesting birds and ideally to heel in the heathland area.

Disabled access is restricted to gravel paths.

Top 10 species found at Hazeley Heath:

The top three of the species found here are protected by European legislation. 

1. Dartford warbler 
2. Woodlark 
3. Nightjar 
4. Grayling butterfly 
5. Silver studded blue butterfly 
6. Woodcock 
7. Stonechat 
8. Bog asphodel 
9. Heath spotted orchid 
10. Adder

Wellington Estate

7000 acres of parkland woodland and arable farming

The centre of the Estate today is Stratfield Saye House where the 1st Duke lived from 1818 to 1852. But there are now, 200 years later, many different businesses and activities on the Estate.

The Wellington Country Park is an award-winning destination for a family day in the country. The Wellington Riding is an international competition venue and award-winning equestrian centre. The Wellington Farm Shop has high quality local produce, an award-winning butchery and a café with views of the Estate. The Wellington Wellbeing centre is a members fitness and wellbeing facility. Daneshill School is a unique co-educational school set within 100 acres of the Estate, with 300 children from 2-13 years old. The Wellington Arms Hotel is a country hotel and restaurant.

In addition, there are many residential and commercial rented properties, several country sporting activities and generations of tenant farmers.

West Green House and Garden

Situated in Hartley Witney and Operated by the National Trust. It is open Wednesday to Sunday and Bank Holidays March to October. It also runs Operas and musical events https://www.westgreenhouse.co.uk/events/west-green-house-gardens-entry/

Bassetts Mead Country Park

Bassetts Mead, an area of just over 10 hectares of open public open space, lies to the east of Holt Park.  It became a SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space) in 2011 and is currently managed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust  for recreation and biodiversity, on behalf of Hook Parish Council. 

The Vyne National Trust

A Tudor building with a Chapel with amazing stained glass windows, and 17^th century home situated in woodlands and Wetlands operated by The National Trust and has events throughout the year, including open air cinema and Shakespeare’s plays.  https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-vyne 

Hortus Loci Garden Centre

More than your average garden centre supplies plants and landscape architecture to the professionals, but also has a retail arm on Hook Green, Hook open 7 days a week. https://hortusloci.co.uk/retail-plant-centre/ 

Odiham

Odiham is a picturesque market town in North Hampshire, not far from Basingstoke. As a royal manor it was the first entry in the Hampshire Domesday book. 

Odiham lies on the banks of the Basingstoke Canal and has a rich collection of historic buildings as well as lovely countryside and canal walks nearby. The Basingstoke Canal, built in the 1700s, flows between Hampshire and Surrey and eventually links with the Rivers Wey and Thames. 32 miles of the canal have been restored for the benefit of walkers, canoeists, anglers and naturalists and there’s also a towpath walk linking Odiham Castle to Odiham Common. It offers splendid views of meadows and historic buildings from its towpath. 

Odiham was a frequent stopping point for Norman Kings and Odiham Castle was probably built by King John around 1200. A large deer park was created around Odiham for Royal hunting and this layout still dominates the shape of settlement today. It is criss-crossed by a network of footpaths where a walker can imagine medieval kings and queens enjoying hunting, hawking and recreation. King John left Odiham castle for Windsor on 10th June 1215 and met with baronial leaders at Runnymede that day, sealing Magna Carta there on 15th June. He returned to Odiham on 26th June and a translation of Magna Carta into vernacular French was attested here on the 27th. 

Heckfield Place

A Georgian family home lovingly restored from its classical origins and rewoven into a luxury hotel standing on 400 acres of secluded Hampshire landscape, just down the road.