Great Copse

Wood, Forest in Hampshire Basingstoke and Deane

England

Great Copse

Fields by the A343, Hollington Cross
Fields by the A343, Hollington Cross Credit: David Howard

Great Copse is a picturesque woodland located in Hampshire, England. Known for its tranquil beauty, it covers an area of approximately 100 acres and is nestled within the rolling countryside of this southern county.

The copse is primarily composed of native deciduous trees, such as oak, beech, and ash, which create a dense canopy that filters sunlight and provides shade to the forest floor. This creates a unique microclimate, fostering the growth of a diverse range of plant life, including bluebells, primroses, and ferns.

The woodland is home to a variety of wildlife species, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts. Visitors may spot deer, foxes, badgers, and rabbits, along with an array of bird species, including woodpeckers, owls, and songbirds. The copse also supports a rich insect population, with butterflies and bees attracted to the wildflowers that bloom during the warmer months.

Great Copse is a popular destination for outdoor activities and leisurely walks. It offers a network of well-maintained footpaths, allowing visitors to explore the woodlands at their own pace. The paths wind through the forest, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and providing opportunities for bird watching and photography.

The copse is managed by the local Hampshire County Council, who ensure that it is maintained and preserved for future generations to enjoy. It is open to the public year-round, with free entry, and amenities such as picnic areas and benches are provided for visitors to relax and take in the natural beauty of Great Copse.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Great Copse Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.341077/-1.3910697 or Grid Reference SU4260. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Fields by the A343, Hollington Cross
Fields by the A343, Hollington Cross
Highclere Street at the junction of the A343
Highclere Street at the junction of the A343
Houses on Highclere Street, Hollington Cross By the A343
Houses on Highclere Street, Hollington Cross
By the A343
Highclere Street, Hollington Cross
Highclere Street, Hollington Cross
Old Milestone by the A343, near Highclere Farm, Highclere parish Carved stone post by the A343, in parish of HIGHCLERE (BASINGSTOKE AND DEANE District), near Highclere Farm, South of village, just before bridge, deep in the hedge, on West side of road. Newbury waist, erected by the Andover & Chilton Pond turnpike trust in the 18th century. 

Inscription reads:-
: NEWBURY / 5 : : SARUM / 29 (overpainted 27) / (OXFORD / 31) : : ANDOVER / 11 (overpainted 10) :

Grade II listed.  
List Entry Number: 1419228 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1419228" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1419228">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

Milestone Society National ID: HA_NEAN05.
Old Milestone by the A343, near Highclere Farm, Highclere parish
Carved stone post by the A343, in parish of HIGHCLERE (BASINGSTOKE AND DEANE District), near Highclere Farm, South of village, just before bridge, deep in the hedge, on West side of road. Newbury waist, erected by the Andover & Chilton Pond turnpike trust in the 18th century. Inscription reads:- : NEWBURY / 5 : : SARUM / 29 (overpainted 27) / (OXFORD / 31) : : ANDOVER / 11 (overpainted 10) : Grade II listed. List Entry Number: 1419228 LinkExternal link Milestone Society National ID: HA_NEAN05.
Farmland, East Woodhay A crop of wheat to the west of Pill Hill.
Farmland, East Woodhay
A crop of wheat to the west of Pill Hill.
Highclere: Harvested agricultural land
Highclere: Harvested agricultural land
Hollington Cross, Zell House Farm
Hollington Cross, Zell House Farm
Zell House Farm
Zell House Farm
Farmland and woodland, East Woodhay A view over the Kennet valley from the edge of Buckhanger Copse.
Farmland and woodland, East Woodhay
A view over the Kennet valley from the edge of Buckhanger Copse.
A343 towards Newbury
A343 towards Newbury
A343 towards Newbury
A343 towards Newbury
Wayfarer's Walk A view of the slopes of the hill used for pasture and grazing.
Wayfarer's Walk
A view of the slopes of the hill used for pasture and grazing.
Wayfarer's Walk A view of the path to the west of the road, looking more or less north west along the path.
Wayfarer's Walk
A view of the path to the west of the road, looking more or less north west along the path.
In Highclere Wood Within the Highclere Estate, Highclere Wood is mainly conifers but quite thinly planted.  This area of the wood is called Ivyhouse Copse on 1:25K map, but is bigger than expected for a copse.  There is a footpath through.
In Highclere Wood
Within the Highclere Estate, Highclere Wood is mainly conifers but quite thinly planted. This area of the wood is called Ivyhouse Copse on 1:25K map, but is bigger than expected for a copse. There is a footpath through.
Footpath to Highclere estate As the footpath leaves the A343 there is immediately a diversion round woodland.  The path runs parallel to the southern edge of the wood in a very soggy pasture.  The trees in the background are also part of Highclere Wood within the square.
Footpath to Highclere estate
As the footpath leaves the A343 there is immediately a diversion round woodland. The path runs parallel to the southern edge of the wood in a very soggy pasture. The trees in the background are also part of Highclere Wood within the square.
Footpath to Highclere estate The path stays in pasture just outside woodland to the left.  Ahead Highclere Wood is part of the same continuous section of woodland within the square.
Footpath to Highclere estate
The path stays in pasture just outside woodland to the left. Ahead Highclere Wood is part of the same continuous section of woodland within the square.
Houses in Highclere The first three gables, and six ground floor windows all belong to the same property, For Sale.  The properties have all had their front doors blocked up and the houses "turned round" to face a courtyard behind.  (Note this is not a sales pitch, just what I saw when walking past!)
Houses in Highclere
The first three gables, and six ground floor windows all belong to the same property, For Sale. The properties have all had their front doors blocked up and the houses "turned round" to face a courtyard behind. (Note this is not a sales pitch, just what I saw when walking past!)
Show me another place!

Great Copse is located at Grid Ref: SU4260 (Lat: 51.341077, Lng: -1.3910697)

Administrative County: Hampshire

District: Basingstoke and Deane

Police Authority: Hampshire

What 3 Words

///sagging.notifying.pushes. Near Highclere, Hampshire

Related Wikis

Highclere

Highclere (pronounced ) is a village and civil parish situated in the North Wessex Downs (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) in the Basingstoke and...

Woolton Hill

Woolton Hill is a village in Hampshire, England, in the civil parish of East Woodhay. The village lies approximately 4 miles (6 km) south-west of the centre...

Stargroves

Stargroves (also known as Stargrove House) is a manor house and associated estate at East Woodhay in the English county of Hampshire. The house belonged...

Gainsborough Stud

Gainsborough Stud is a stud farm based in Woolton Hill, Hampshire, 3 miles (4.8 km) outside Newbury. It is owned by United Arab Emirates-based international...

East Woodhay

East Woodhay is a village and civil parish in Hampshire, England. The village is approximately 5.5 miles (9 km) south-west of Newbury in Berkshire. At...

Penwood

Penwood is a village in the civil parish of Highclere in the Basingstoke and Deane district of Hampshire, England. Its nearest town is Newbury, which lies...

Highclere Castle

Highclere Castle is a Grade I listed country house built in 1679 and largely renovated in the 1840s, with a park designed by Capability Brown in the 18th...

Pilot Hill, Hampshire

Pilot Hill is the highest summit in Hampshire, England, with a maximum elevation of 286 m (938 ft). It lies around 2 miles (3.2 km) to the south-east of...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.341077,-1.3910697
Barrier: stile
Foot: yes
Lat/Long: 51.3402621/-1.3978232
Barrier: stile
Lat/Long: 51.340387/-1.3946743
Barrier: stile
Foot: yes
Lat/Long: 51.3387367/-1.3868691
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Have you been to Great Copse?

Leave your review of Great Copse below (or comments, questions and feedback).