Rowhill Nature Reserve
Children will enjoy the little streams and bridges as well as rhododendron tunnel and a large meadow to run around in.
Bluebells in the beech glade
The Basics
Time: 2.75 km
Distance: 1 hour
Terrain: The Nature Trail contains a mixture of paved path and some rougher and uneven paths. There are a few steady inclines, a few steps and a short boardwalk section.
Pushchair: Not for the nature trail, but there is an all access, paved path which takes in a small amount of the reserve.
Dogs: Under good control.
Refreshments: On Sunday and bank holiday afternoons from 2-4:30 light refreshments can be purchased from the Field Centre.
Toilets: When the field centre is open as above.
Public Transport: There is a bus stop on Cranmore Lane at the junction with Farnborough road. It is a short walk from there to the car park/entrance
Parking: Small, free car park on Cranmore Lane (Postcode: GU11 3 BD - W3W: sports/scores/radar)
Passing by the pond
The fifty-five acre Rowhill Nature Reserve is mainly made up of secondary ancient woodland and is well cared for by a community of volunteers. The well-signed Nature Trail follows the highlights of the reserve that include bluebell glades, boardwalks, ponds and a large meadow.
The Route
We followed the reserve’s Nature Trail and there is little point in us re-phrasing what is already a well described walk. Use this link to download the PDF from their website. Their detailed summary gives walkers lots of useful information regarding the flora and fauna of the site as well as facts about its past. The walk is well marked with wooden posts and arrows.
Having tested the walk, there is one up-date worth noting: We could not find the steps described in point 5 that descend the steep hillside. It looks like they have been removed. So, instead, when you reach the T-junction after point 4 and the stand of pine trees, turn left and walk gradually down the hill. At the wooden fence beside a house, turn right to double back on yourself. Ignore the steps on your left and pass the Hampshire/Surrey border post. This path will bring you to the bog mentioned in point 6.
Children might like to download 50 Things to do in Rowhill Copse
Did you know?
The reserve is a designated SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Greenland). The purpose of this status is to provide an alternative place for walkers and dogs to the local SPA (Special Protection Area) of Caeser’s Camp where walking and dogs is discouraged.
