Yateley Common
Children will enjoy the brass rubbings on this walk and following the nature trail.
In late summer, heather blooms across the heath
The Route
Time: 35 minutes
Distance: 1.25 miles
Terrain: Prepared paths, mostly flat
Pushchair: Yes
Dogs: Yes
Refreshments: None, but you could bring a rug and picnic on the grass in front of the pond, or The Cricketers is the nearest pub
Toilets: None
Public Transport: On Mondays and Wednesdays The Hartley Witney Community Bus stops at The Casa Hotel which is a few minutes walk to the car park at the start of this walk
Parking: Free car park at Wyndhams Pool off Cricket Hill Lane (Postcode: GU46 6BB - W3W: evaporate/renews/ratty)
There is a large pond near the car park, usually covered in lily pads
Yateley Common is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and comprises a large pond, heathland covered in gorse and heather and oak and birch woodland. Hampshire Countryside Services have created a nature trail for children that includes a series of brass rubbing plates and an information leaflet.
The Route
The nature trail begins from the noticeboard adjacent to the car park. If you want to enjoy the brass rubbings, you will need to print out the template at home. You can also print out the trail leaflet, with nature information for each point of the walk using the same link.
Head off with the information board behind you, the pond to your left and the bench to your right. That is the only directions you will need from us as the whole trail is very clearly marked with purple arrows.
The nature trail will take you across the heathland, through patches of woodland and back past Wyndhham’s Pond. There are steps at the end, but pushchairs can take the slope further around the pond.
*I haven’t included a map for this one as I am not sure which paths we took, we just followed the purple arrows!
Did you know?
Yateley Common is a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of its importance to wildlife including Dartford warblers, nightingales, viviparous lizards and the downy emerald dragonlfy. You can read more here about some of the plants and animals that thrive in this habitat.
This walk is also a great choice for aviation loving children as it is very close to Blackbushe Airport. We saw plenty of helicopters and light aircraft overhead.
