Bucklebury Common spans some 900 acres and is home to a rich mosaic of habitats, from ancient woodland to the largest remaining area of heathland in the North Wessex Downs National Landscape.
Lowland heathland is a rare and threatened habitat, we’ve lost around 80% of it in Britain over the past two centuries. Without active management, it quickly becomes overgrown, losing the open character and specialist wildlife that make it so distinctive.
This walk and talk is a chance to explore how the Bucklebury Estate is bringing the heathland back to life. This work is part of the Partnerships for Nature project – led by the North Wessex Downs National Landscape, funded by Defra’s Species Survival Fund, and administered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund – the estate is restoring heathland, establishing wood pasture, and introducing conservation grazing with a pedigree herd of Belted Galloway cattle. These works are enhancing biodiversity and contributing to natural flood management.
Led by Alasdair Jones-Perrott, who is overseeing the work, and the Estate Ranger, Sam, this will be an opportunity to discover the Common’s history and the wildlife that stands to benefit. There will be a chance to see the cattle and learn about the fenceless grazing technique and the important role of grazing to manage the heathland.
On the walk and talk we will visit two parts of the common to see the range of work taking place, driving between two car parks. There will be minimal walking, about 1km, but it will be over rough undergrowth. For more practical information, please see below.
Walk Information
- Booking: Free – Booking essential – 30 places
- Distance & approximate duration: 1km – 2 hours
- Difficulty: Fairly easy (some inclines, rough, tangled undergrowth).
- Accessibility: Aimed at adults & older children. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult
- Dogs: No dogs.
- Refreshments: Bring snacks and drinks as needed. There are no places to purchase refreshments on the route. Nearest pub The Bladebone Inn
- Toilets: There are no public toilets on the route (nearest at The Bladebone Inn).
- Meeting point: Car park to the south of ‘The Common’ road, Chapel Row, Bucklebury; nearest postcode: RG7 6QE. What3Words: banter.adverbs.picked. OS grid reference: SU 560 692. Google Maps.
- Public transport: Limited public transport, try West Berkshire Community Connect
- Parking: Free car park at meeting point.
For general booking information, health and safety advice, terms and conditions please see our useful information page.
Further information
To find out more about Bucklebury Common and the work taking place, see Habitat Restoration at Bucklebury
This event is in association with our partners and is part of our Partnerships for Nature project funded by DEFRA’s Species Survival Fund administered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund:
