Bramshott Common and Waggoners Wells
On this walk, children will enjoy the three pools with ducks, fish and lilly pads. Also look out for a rope swing, wishing well and a natural climbing frame in the roots of an old tree.
The Basics
Time: 1 hour
Distance: 3 km
Terrain: Tracks through wooded valley and across a common - can be muddy in winter
Pushchair: No - uneven paths
Dogs: Yes
Refreshments: None
Toilets: None
Parking: Free parking area at the end of Rectory Lane, Bramshott (Postcode: GU26 6DN - W3W: feelers/replayed/punctured)
Not far from the A3, Bramshott Common is an easy place to explore with the family and just next door, the National Trust manage Waggoners Wells with it’s three ponds. This walk includes both areas and is particularly enjoyable in the Autumn.
The Route
Take the footpath at the far end of the car park with the pony paddocks on your left. This path will take you down to Cooper’s Stream, where the water exits the bottom pond. Children can paddle here in wellies and there is a fallen tree that makes a fun bridge. Cross the stream via the wooden foot bridge and turn right.
Follow the path with the stream on your right and you will soon come across a little wishing well. Continue and next you will see the tree where soil erosion has exposed the roots, which now make an unusual climbing frame! Opposite the tree is a place to cross to the other side of the pond.
At the opposite side, turn left and walk with the pond to your left. After the second pond begins, look out for a footpath heading right away from the water. There are some mossy logs strewn about and a lot of leaf litter. As the path ascends, look out for the bracken which is a lovely copper colour in the autumn and it is not uncommon to see deer amongst it.
Keep on this path as it rises in a straight line from the valley back up to the common. As soon as the path opens up to the common, turn right, then very shortly turn left at the first opportunity. This path will descend steeply. At the bottom of the dip, take the path straight ahead to climb back out.
There is now a network of many paths cross crossing the common and it is hard to ensure that you will follow the exact ones that we took, but your aim is to head right (west) in as direct way as possible to get back to the car park. It is not a great distance and you won’t get lost as the sound of the A3 to your left is a handy anchor point.
We recommend viewing the map as a Trails Map:
An Autumnal Alternative
The Basics
Time: 40 minutes
Distance: 2.5 km
Terrain: Paved bridle path and flat grassy paths
Pushchair: As long as it is not too muddy
Dogs: Yes - but be aware the path runs parallel to the A3 with no fence.
Refreshments: None
Toilets: None
Parking: When driving north up the A3, exit at the single lane Rectory Lane, just after the Liphook exit. A short way up, you will see the MOD gateway to your right. There is parking at the side of the road here (Postcode: GU26 6DN - W3W: (hack/pace/tooth) . If this is full, there is a proper car park further along Rectory Lane.
An avenue of Canadian maple trees line either side of the A3 on the easterly edge of Bramshott Common. In autumn they glow a crimson shade of red and this route allows you to walk beneath them. It also is an excellent way for those with pushchairs to explore the common at any time of year.
The Route
At the MOD sign, go around the barrier and follow the long, straight, paved path until it turns to stones and then to grass. This is a great path for kids bikes and scooters.
Keep going in the same direction on the now grassy path, eventually passing under the boughs of a large oak tree. The common will open up to your left and then the path will finish as it almost reaches the A3. This is the point where the avenue of maples begins. Turn right and walk parallel to the road.
As the avenue of maples dwindles and thins, you will spot an underpass (you can go under the A3 here and see the maples on the southbound side as well as The Canadian War Memorial).
To return to your car, keep going until you reach a barrier/gate with Rectory Lane. Either follow the lane (best for pushchairs) or turn right and walk along the grassy path. Continue following the path around a broken tree, down and up a dip and through the bracken until you hit the paved military track you started on. Turn left to reach your car.
Did you know?
Bramshott common was the site of a temporary army camp during the first and second world wars and a Canadian military hospital stood on the site beside the A3 trunk road. The maple trees were planted to honour this.
