Ballshill Gully

Valley in Berkshire

England

Ballshill Gully

Greenham Common The disused Control Tower building at the now derelict Greenham Common Airbase.
Greenham Common Credit: Brendan and Ruth McCartney

Ballshill Gully, located in Berkshire, is a picturesque valley nestled in the heart of the English countryside. Situated in the southern part of the county, this enchanting gully is known for its stunning natural beauty and diverse wildlife.

The gully is characterized by its steep sides and lush vegetation, creating a verdant oasis in an otherwise rural landscape. The valley is primarily covered in dense woodland, with a variety of native tree species including oak, beech, and hawthorn. These trees provide a habitat for numerous bird species, such as woodpeckers, thrushes, and owls, making it a popular spot for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

The gully is traversed by a small stream, which meanders through the valley, adding to its charm and serenity. The stream is home to a variety of aquatic life, including trout and water insects, further enhancing the ecological diversity of the area.

Ballshill Gully offers several walking trails that wind through its captivating scenery, providing visitors with a chance to explore and appreciate the natural wonders it has to offer. The trails vary in difficulty, catering to both casual strollers and experienced hikers.

In addition to its natural beauty, Ballshill Gully also boasts a rich history. The area has witnessed human activity dating back centuries, with evidence of ancient settlements and agricultural practices. Archaeological artifacts have been discovered in the vicinity, shedding light on the lives of those who inhabited the area in the past.

Overall, Ballshill Gully is a tranquil and idyllic destination, offering a unique combination of natural beauty, wildlife, and historical significance. It is a hidden gem in the Berkshire countryside, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in its enchanting atmosphere.

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Ballshill Gully Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.3746/-1.2905593 or Grid Reference SU4964. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Greenham Common The disused Control Tower building at the now derelict Greenham Common Airbase.
Greenham Common
The disused Control Tower building at the now derelict Greenham Common Airbase.
Greenham Common The interesting looking Bunker Farm - The house is made of cob, a mixture of clay, stone and straw, and the walls are approx 3ft thick. The rest of the square is a mixture of woodland, farmland and the old Greenham Common Airbase.
Greenham Common
The interesting looking Bunker Farm - The house is made of cob, a mixture of clay, stone and straw, and the walls are approx 3ft thick. The rest of the square is a mixture of woodland, farmland and the old Greenham Common Airbase.
Greenham Common - Main Runway This is what is left of the main runway looking SE from N51°22.819 W001°17.641. The runway was dug up and used as hardcore for the A34 Newbury bypass.
Greenham Common - Main Runway
This is what is left of the main runway looking SE from N51°22.819 W001°17.641. The runway was dug up and used as hardcore for the A34 Newbury bypass.
Greenham Common This section of the common is in the northern half of the grid square south east of the control tower. The picture was taken  looking south.
Greenham Common
This section of the common is in the northern half of the grid square south east of the control tower. The picture was taken looking south.
Greenham Common This section of the common is at the control tower and parking area. This building is closest to the road and more or less north of the control tower. The picture was taken more or less from the south west side of the building. Greenham Common has been declared an area of scientific interest and played a role in the second world war.
Greenham Common
This section of the common is at the control tower and parking area. This building is closest to the road and more or less north of the control tower. The picture was taken more or less from the south west side of the building. Greenham Common has been declared an area of scientific interest and played a role in the second world war.
Greenham and Crookham Common Nature Reserve This area of the common is a nature reserve. This was taken from one of the reserves parking places in the lower half of the grid square west of the centre, looking south east along the edge of the copse.
Greenham and Crookham Common Nature Reserve
This area of the common is a nature reserve. This was taken from one of the reserves parking places in the lower half of the grid square west of the centre, looking south east along the edge of the copse.
Crookham, Greenham and Stroud Green Commons These three commons are combined to make one very large area of common land which is not public property, but is made available for the use of the public. This section is situated in the middle of the lower half of the square.
Crookham, Greenham and Stroud Green Commons
These three commons are combined to make one very large area of common land which is not public property, but is made available for the use of the public. This section is situated in the middle of the lower half of the square.
Greenham, Crookham and Stroud Green Commons This section of the commons is quite wooded in comparison to Greenham and Crookham Commons which are flat and generally quite sparsely vegetated. This section is in the south western section of the grid square.
Greenham, Crookham and Stroud Green Commons
This section of the commons is quite wooded in comparison to Greenham and Crookham Commons which are flat and generally quite sparsely vegetated. This section is in the south western section of the grid square.
Newtown Church Newtown Church
Newtown Church
Newtown Church
Helen Thomas Memorial Peace Garden Helen Thomas, an activist, died outside the main gates of Greenham Common Airbase at the Women's Peace Camp. She died in an incident involving a West Midlands Police horsebox on August the 5th, 1989. Helen would have set an historical precedent on August the 18th when she would have been the first person to have been tried in an English court in Welsh, her first language.
Helen Thomas Memorial Peace Garden
Helen Thomas, an activist, died outside the main gates of Greenham Common Airbase at the Women's Peace Camp. She died in an incident involving a West Midlands Police horsebox on August the 5th, 1989. Helen would have set an historical precedent on August the 18th when she would have been the first person to have been tried in an English court in Welsh, her first language.
Dove and Fountain: Peace Garden This dove was peacefully drinking water in this garden, on the edge of the Greenham Business Park. Helen Thomas was an activist and died at the Greenham Women's Peace camp by a police horse box the day before she was due to stand trial.
Dove and Fountain: Peace Garden
This dove was peacefully drinking water in this garden, on the edge of the Greenham Business Park. Helen Thomas was an activist and died at the Greenham Women's Peace camp by a police horse box the day before she was due to stand trial.
Entrance to the New Greenham Park This business park is situated across a couple of squares. This entrance, near the memorial garden is in the northern half of the square. The square is characterised by commercial enterprises, farmland, residences, recreational facilities and the Peace Garden.
Entrance to the New Greenham Park
This business park is situated across a couple of squares. This entrance, near the memorial garden is in the northern half of the square. The square is characterised by commercial enterprises, farmland, residences, recreational facilities and the Peace Garden.
Warehouse Road: New Greenham Park This square consists of Greenham Common, the business park and some copses.
Warehouse Road: New Greenham Park
This square consists of Greenham Common, the business park and some copses.
Silver Birch Woodland: Greenham This square is mostly woodland/plantation and farmland. The A339 also runs across the northern half of the square. This view of these silver birches is west of the lane that runs south off the roundabout in the north eastern corner of the square.
Silver Birch Woodland: Greenham
This square is mostly woodland/plantation and farmland. The A339 also runs across the northern half of the square. This view of these silver birches is west of the lane that runs south off the roundabout in the north eastern corner of the square.
Silver Birch: Bark and Bracken A closeup of the birch bark . This birch copse is also overgrown with bracken.
Silver Birch: Bark and Bracken
A closeup of the birch bark . This birch copse is also overgrown with bracken.
Haymaking near Greenham This field was in the process of being mown for hay. This square contains some of the village of Bishops Green and is mostly farmland. This field is in the western half of the square, near the intersection of the minor road and Hyde Lane.
Haymaking near Greenham
This field was in the process of being mown for hay. This square contains some of the village of Bishops Green and is mostly farmland. This field is in the western half of the square, near the intersection of the minor road and Hyde Lane.
Wrapped Hay near Bishop's Green This square is mostly farmland. This farmland east of Hyde Lane, is ahead of the other fields in this square.
Wrapped Hay near Bishop's Green
This square is mostly farmland. This farmland east of Hyde Lane, is ahead of the other fields in this square.
Calves Couldn't resist sending this as supplementary to the others. These two calves were quite curious about the photographer, until mama appeared from behind the shed and nudged them away.
Calves
Couldn't resist sending this as supplementary to the others. These two calves were quite curious about the photographer, until mama appeared from behind the shed and nudged them away.
Show me another place!

Ballshill Gully is located at Grid Ref: SU4964 (Lat: 51.3746, Lng: -1.2905593)

Unitary Authority: West Berkshire

Police Authority: Thames Valley

What 3 Words

///requests.presides.pebbles. Near Greenham, Berkshire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.3746,-1.2905593
Mini Roundabout
Lat/Long: 51.3771485/-1.289572
Mini Roundabout
Direction: clockwise
Lat/Long: 51.3764871/-1.2842189
Man Made: mast
Lat/Long: 51.3778781/-1.2897369
Man Made: mast
Lat/Long: 51.3763762/-1.2870866
Mini Roundabout
Direction: clockwise
Lat/Long: 51.3748378/-1.2846582
The Bunker Greenham Common Data Centre
Office: it
Lat/Long: 51.3770205/-1.2906724
Parking
Lat/Long: 51.3730319/-1.2838049
Cafe
Honesty Cafe
Lat/Long: 51.3740158/-1.2836603
Defibrillator
Emergency: defibrillator
Indoor: no
Lat/Long: 51.3769625/-1.2896326
Man Made: charge_point
Lat/Long: 51.37411/-1.2838035
Man Made: charge_point
Lat/Long: 51.3740137/-1.2838468
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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