Berkshire
Exploration on foot is the best way to enjoy the steep heather-clad slopes of the Finchampstead Ridges near Wokingham, overlooking the River Blackwater and a haven for wildlife and naturalists alike.
Buckinghamshire
The Chilterns offer some of the finest scenery in southern England and from their highest point, Coombe Hill, there are spectacular views over three counties. There are some beautiful villages in this area, including West Wycombe and Bradenham, which both serve as ideal centres for good walking through typical Chiltern beech-woods.
Hampshire
There is rolling heath at Ludshott and hammer ponds at Waggoners Wells, while Selborne Hill and Common were made famous by the 18th-century naturalist Gilbert White.
The Trust also cares for some 1200ha (3000 acres) in the magnificent New Forest, including Hale Purlieu and Bramshaw Commons, and the recently acquired Ibsley and Rockford Commons, which offer excellent walking.
Stockbridge Common Down, 60ha (150 acres) of chalk grassland, has a superb butterfly population and excellent views, and nearby Stockbridge Common Marsh is easily accessible from Stockbridge High Street. Above the village of Hambledon lies Speltham Down, again with fine views. Along the banks of the River Hamble stretches the Curbridge Nature Reserve, a delightful area of ancient woodland.
Isle of Wight
The Trust cares for 17 miles of beautiful coastline on the Isle of Wight and 9 per cent of countryside, including the major downland areas – Ventnor, St Catherine’s, Bembridge and Culver, Afton, Brook, Compton and Mottistone – as well as Needles Headland with the Old Battery, overlooking the famous stacks of rock. From here there are excellent walks to enjoy as far as Tennyson Down, where the great poet once strolled. The ancient port of Newtown, with its Old Town Hall and important nature reserve, is also an interesting place to visit.
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London
Many of the Trust’s London properties date from the time when the countryside was still within sight of the heart of the city. Large estates such as Osterley Park are green lungs in the midst of suburbia, and Sutton House in Hackney, once part of a small village, is now ideally located for its role as a centre for the Trust’s work with inner city schools.
Despite being one of the world’s major conurbations, London still contains green and relatively tranquil areas. The Trust has played a major role in securing fragments of the city’s once extensive common land, including East Sheen Common (not far from Ham House) and Chislehurst Common. Nearby at Petts Wood and Hawkwood there are attractive areas of heath, farm and woodland with fine walks.
Interesting features of an ancient agricultural landscape can be seen at Morden Hall Park and there are woods and open grassland at Selsdon Wood near Croydon. Watermeads is managed as a nature reserve. Currently work is being undertaken on the development of a wetland area as well as reinstatement of walk ways. When the work has been completed access can be arranged with the property office at Morden Hall Park 0208 545 6850.
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Oxfordshire
The Buscot and Coleshill Estates offer wide expanses of unspoilt countryside, including Badbury Hill, with splendid views over the upper Thames valley. Buscot and Coleshill are both attractive villages built of Cotswold stone, and there is a popular picnic area at Buscot Weir.
Not far from here is White Horse Hill, with its famous horse cut into the chalk escarpment. The hill is crowned by the Bronze Age hill-fort of Uffington Castle and nearby is Dragon Hill, where St George allegedly slew the beast. The Ridgeway Path gives good access to these sites.
Another notable beauty spot is Watlington Hill, on an escarpment of the Chilterns. The hill is 210 metres high and celebrated for its chalk-loving flora and fine yew forest.
Highlights for visitors with disabilities
Particularly recommended are The Old Brick & Tile Works at Pinkney’s Green, a nature reserve near Maidenhead with specially adapted paths and viewing platforms, and a tapping rail (access by radar key). St Helen’s Duver, Isle of Wight, has a level shingle walk suitable for accompanied wheelchair users, and an accessible holiday cottage.
Also recommended are the accessible paths through the rose garden and along the river at Morden Hall Park.
Highlights for families
At Osterley Park there is lots of space to run around and play – and free ‘Tracker Packs’, fun family activities on various themes to do in the park.
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