Barnclose Copse

Wood, Forest in Berkshire

England

Barnclose Copse

Trees starting on the heathland Following decades as a military airfield, Greenham Common is returning to a natural state. The thin gravel soil supports colourful expanses of heather, but birch trees are now starting to take over.
Trees starting on the heathland Credit: Des Blenkinsopp

Barnclose Copse is a picturesque woodland located in the county of Berkshire, England. With its dense foliage and tranquil atmosphere, it serves as an idyllic retreat for nature enthusiasts and hikers alike. The copse covers an expansive area of approximately 100 acres, making it a significant natural feature in the region.

The woodland is predominantly composed of native broadleaf trees such as oak, beech, and birch, creating a diverse and vibrant ecosystem. The thick canopy of foliage provides ample shade during the summer months, making it a popular destination for locals seeking respite from the heat.

The copse is intersected by several winding footpaths, allowing visitors to explore its hidden gems at their own pace. These trails provide an opportunity to witness the copse's rich biodiversity up close, with sightings of various wildlife species including deer, squirrels, and a multitude of bird species.

Barnclose Copse is also home to a number of small streams and ponds, adding to its charm and providing a water source for the flora and fauna that inhabit the area. The babbling of water and the chirping of birds serve as a soothing soundtrack, further enhancing the copse's serene ambiance.

Managed by local authorities, Barnclose Copse offers a peaceful and well-maintained environment for visitors to enjoy. It is a popular destination for activities such as walking, birdwatching, and photography. Whether seeking solitude or a family outing, Barnclose Copse provides a haven of natural beauty in the heart of Berkshire.

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Barnclose Copse Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.389506/-1.2858018 or Grid Reference SU4965. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Trees starting on the heathland Following decades as a military airfield, Greenham Common is returning to a natural state. The thin gravel soil supports colourful expanses of heather, but birch trees are now starting to take over.
Trees starting on the heathland
Following decades as a military airfield, Greenham Common is returning to a natural state. The thin gravel soil supports colourful expanses of heather, but birch trees are now starting to take over.
Track on Greenham Common Good tracks like this are all over the common, plus a lot of smaller paths, making it very easy to get around.
Track on Greenham Common
Good tracks like this are all over the common, plus a lot of smaller paths, making it very easy to get around.
Bowdown Woods To the north of Bury's Bank Road, the scenery is quite different from the open heathland of Greenham Common to the south. It is predominantly woodland.
Bowdown Woods
To the north of Bury's Bank Road, the scenery is quite different from the open heathland of Greenham Common to the south. It is predominantly woodland.
Pond at Greenham Common A shallow pond formed by heavy rain on Greenham Common. The old control tower - now a cafe - can be seen in the background.
Pond at Greenham Common
A shallow pond formed by heavy rain on Greenham Common. The old control tower - now a cafe - can be seen in the background.
Lay-by off Bury's Bank Road A lay-by off Bury's Bank Road beside Greenham Common. The road runs from Newbury to Thatcham, with livestock across part of it in-between two cattle grids.
Lay-by off Bury's Bank Road
A lay-by off Bury's Bank Road beside Greenham Common. The road runs from Newbury to Thatcham, with livestock across part of it in-between two cattle grids.
Lay-by off Bury's Bank Road A lay-by off Bury's Bank Road beside Greenham Common. The road runs from Newbury to Thatcham, with livestock across part of it in-between two cattle grids. The field to the right of the road is part of Greenham Common. The track to the left leads to a private dwelling.
Lay-by off Bury's Bank Road
A lay-by off Bury's Bank Road beside Greenham Common. The road runs from Newbury to Thatcham, with livestock across part of it in-between two cattle grids. The field to the right of the road is part of Greenham Common. The track to the left leads to a private dwelling.
Bowdown Woods entrance from car park The entrance to Bowdown Woods from the car park off Bury's Bank Road. The woods are suffering extensively from ash dieback disease, and many paths are closed because of it. Also in view is a rather smelly over-filled dog poo bin!
Bowdown Woods entrance from car park
The entrance to Bowdown Woods from the car park off Bury's Bank Road. The woods are suffering extensively from ash dieback disease, and many paths are closed because of it. Also in view is a rather smelly over-filled dog poo bin!
Bowdown Woods car park The car park at Bowdown Woods off Bury's Bank Road is rather bumpy, with a large 'roundabout' in the centre. Cars can park all round the edges of the track, and often down the access road to the car park on a weekend.
Bowdown Woods car park
The car park at Bowdown Woods off Bury's Bank Road is rather bumpy, with a large 'roundabout' in the centre. Cars can park all round the edges of the track, and often down the access road to the car park on a weekend.
Bowdown Woods entrance path The main path from the entrance gate off the car park into Bowdown Woods. At the fork in the path ahead, there are two directions: north east or east.
Bowdown Woods entrance path
The main path from the entrance gate off the car park into Bowdown Woods. At the fork in the path ahead, there are two directions: north east or east.
Bowdown Woods entrance path The main path from the entrance gate off the car park into Bowdown Woods. The gate at the end leads to the car park. The path to the left heads east.
Bowdown Woods entrance path
The main path from the entrance gate off the car park into Bowdown Woods. The gate at the end leads to the car park. The path to the left heads east.
Bowdown Woods A view through the woodland at Bowdown Woods, from the path near to the entrance to the woods.
Bowdown Woods
A view through the woodland at Bowdown Woods, from the path near to the entrance to the woods.
Start of wildlife walk at Bowdown Woods To the left of the main path from the entrance to Bowdown Woods is a 'wildlife walk' that runs in a loop past Bowdown House and Bowdown Farm. The start of the walk is characterised by a little undulation in the path. To the left in this image are the grounds of Bowdown House.
Start of wildlife walk at Bowdown Woods
To the left of the main path from the entrance to Bowdown Woods is a 'wildlife walk' that runs in a loop past Bowdown House and Bowdown Farm. The start of the walk is characterised by a little undulation in the path. To the left in this image are the grounds of Bowdown House.
Path north east in Bowdown Woods The main entrance path leads straight on to this path at the fork to the wildlife walk by Bowdown House and Bowdown Farm. This path leads to another loop and has wider paths than the wildlife walk.
Path north east in Bowdown Woods
The main entrance path leads straight on to this path at the fork to the wildlife walk by Bowdown House and Bowdown Farm. This path leads to another loop and has wider paths than the wildlife walk.
Bowdown Woods entrance path The entrance path to Bowdown Woods from the car park, photographed from beside the start of the wildlife walk by Bowdown House and Bowdown Farm.
Bowdown Woods entrance path
The entrance path to Bowdown Woods from the car park, photographed from beside the start of the wildlife walk by Bowdown House and Bowdown Farm.
Large trees in Bowdown Woods Large trees near to the path of the wildlife walk in Bowdown Woods. The sign on the post has a QR code and offers a guided tour with audio for the trail.
Large trees in Bowdown Woods
Large trees near to the path of the wildlife walk in Bowdown Woods. The sign on the post has a QR code and offers a guided tour with audio for the trail.
Bowdown Woods wildlife walk The first section of the wildlife walk in Bowdown Woods runs past the garden of Bowdown House. It is quite a steep path to the centre of the valley and up again.
Bowdown Woods wildlife walk
The first section of the wildlife walk in Bowdown Woods runs past the garden of Bowdown House. It is quite a steep path to the centre of the valley and up again.
Start of wildlife walk at Bowdown Woods The start of the wildlife walk at Bowdown Woods, looking towards the entrance to the wildlife walk and the main path.
Start of wildlife walk at Bowdown Woods
The start of the wildlife walk at Bowdown Woods, looking towards the entrance to the wildlife walk and the main path.
Bowdown Woods wildlife walk Taken from the middle of the valley on the wildlife walk in Bowdown Woods. Bowdown House is to the left, and there is a path to the right which completes the loop.
Bowdown Woods wildlife walk
Taken from the middle of the valley on the wildlife walk in Bowdown Woods. Bowdown House is to the left, and there is a path to the right which completes the loop.
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Barnclose Copse is located at Grid Ref: SU4965 (Lat: 51.389506, Lng: -1.2858018)

Unitary Authority: West Berkshire

Police Authority: Thames Valley

What 3 Words

///nerve.tribe.inch. Near Greenham, Berkshire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.389506,-1.2858018
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.3916801/-1.2913643
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.3907998/-1.2873544
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.3903697/-1.2852649
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.3899529/-1.2832962
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Lat/Long: 51.3895244/-1.2812979
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.3890524/-1.2791253
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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