Wellesley Woodlands

About

Wellesley Woodlands is a Green Flag award winning site and offers 110 hectares of interlinked woodlands across Duke’s Wood, Canal and Lakeside, Heather Hill and Thorn Hill. Each of these areas are linked via a network of footpaths. This large and easily accessible natural greenspace provides plenty of opportunities to explore, enjoy and share in the rich diversity of the local countryside. The woodland is home to a variety of species including roe deer, bats, water-loving birds, lizards, snakes and slow worm. Facilities and features include meadows, many well surfaced paths, a wheelchair friendly footpath alongside the Basingstoke Canal, walking routes, trails, lakes, benches and car park.

The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (BVCP) manages the site and The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) engage the local community. Everyone is welcome to join a volunteer group and tools, equipment, training and refreshments are provided.
- The TCV organise Health Walks and regular community events including wildlife surveying, health walks, bush craft & forest school activities, school holiday sessions, family-fun events, dog walks and themed days (contact for more information: wellesleywoodlands@tcv.org.uk).
- Green Angels organise free skills-based training to encourage local people aged 18 years+ to learn more about the outdoors, nature and conservation (contact for more information: rachelcobb@thelandtrust.org.uk).
-The Blackwater Valley Rangers carry out regular practical conservation tasks within Wellesley Woodlands including fencing, shrub clearance, improving footpaths, wildlife surveys and hay cutting (contact for more information: blackwater.valley@hants.gov.uk).

About The Land Trust

The Land Trust is a charity that is committed to the long term sustainable management of open space for community benefit. The eight member organisations of the Trust are Homes England, the Woodland Trust, the Prince’s Foundation for Building Community, The Wildlife Trusts, the National Trust, the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA), Groundwork, and The Conservation Volunteers (TCV). The Land Trust also works in partnership with Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (BVCP).