Description:

A large area of heathland, grassland and woodland, with many areas being restored to heathland.

Access - All three areas are open access all year round. There are a few surfaced paths on Bartley Heath, although the majority of the site is not surfaced. Warnborough Greens have no marked paths and can be wet in areas. Hook Common has an ongoing restoration programme so please contact the Trust for the latest access information.

Bartley Heath
Bartley Heath and Hook Common were once part of one large common of heathland, grassland and woodland used by local people for grazing their livestock and other commoning activities. As the practice of grazing died out the grasslands became ranker and trees, particularly Birch, began to grow. These trees shaded out the specialist heathland plants with a subsequent reduction of associated animals. Bartley Heath has been undergoing restoration management for the last ten years and with the clearance of trees and grazing of New
Forest ponies the heathland plants and animals are returning, making it possible to walk once more over an open landscape.

Hook Common
The Trust has recently signed a long term lease for this large area of derelict heath and woodland. An extensive programme of restoration will now be undertaken with the aim of re-establishing the heathland habitat.

Warnborough Greens
Warnborough Greens are two flower-rich wet meadows fed by the beautiful chalk River Whitewater. The calcareous water makes these fens suitable for a variety of unusual wetland species such as Early and Southern Marsh orchid. These meadows are managed by annual grazing with ponies and cattle.