Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Sites

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Web Site

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust have over 50 sites in and around Hampshire. I have not visited all of their sites and not all are accessible to the public, but I have listed below some of my favourite.
Please visit their web site for locations and membership details.
 

Baddesley Common and Emer Bog

North Baddesley - Mire, heathland, grassland, wood pasture, wet woodland and ancient woodland.
Designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for its quaking bog and transition mire habitat.
Parking is limited to 3 spaces at the Green Lane entrance to the site. Pedestrian access can be gained from Green Lane, Pound Lane and several public footpaths from Body Farm and North Baddesley. Footpaths are unsurfaced and can become muddy during winter months.
A boardwalk exists around the bog however remains closed while essential maintenance is undertaken.
 

Blashford Lakes

Nr Ringwood - Blashford Lakes is a series of former gravel pits surrounded by grassland and willow, birch and alder woodland.Blashford Lakes is 2 miles north of Ringwood on the A338.
OS grid ref SU 151 081
 

Farlington Marshes

Portsmouth - Farlington Marshes is the Trust’s oldest wildlife reserve. It is 125 hectares (308 acres) of flower-rich grazing marsh on the northern shore of Langstone Harbour between Portsmouth and Havant.
Farlington is internationally important for the bird populations that it supports, as well as being a blaze of colour in spring and summer with many flowers and butterflies.
OS grid ref. SU 685 045
 

Hythe Spartina Marsh

Hythe - Coastal saltmarsh. part of Southampton Water SPA. Wildfowl and waders.
Car parking at Shore Road on the edge of the reserve. The reserve is tidal and access onto the mudflats is not recommended, to avoid disturbing birds and for your own safety.
OS grid ref. SU 433 072
 

Pamber Forest

Tadley Pamber - Forest is a large ancient woodland site traditionally managed by coppicing and grazing. The site was notified as a SSSI for its diverse invertebrate populations and flora.
OS Grid Ref SU 616 608
 

Pewit Island

Portsmouth - An Island within Portsmouth Harbour composed of vegetated shingle and saltmarsh habitats. A roosting and breeding site for birds; it is one of the few undeveloped areas of Portsmouth Harbour providing a refuge for waders at high tide. Supports a wide variety of plants including Sea Lavender and Golden Samphire. The grassland communities also support good populations of common blue and meadow brown butterflies.
The Island is not accessible due to its small size and the risk of disturbance to birds. It is best viewed from Porchester or Fort Nelson.
OS grid ref SU 608 038
 

Swanwick Lakes

Bursledon - Swanwick Lakes is an almost entirely man-made landscape. This former clay extraction site is owned by NATS and managed for wildlife and education by the Wildlife Trust. The reserve extends to around 80 acres and is designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).
The reserve is located just off Swanwick Lane in Swanwick, about 2 miles from Bursledon and 7 miles from Fareham.
OS grid ref SU 504 098
 

Testwood Lakes

Totton - Testwood Lakes is a 150 acre site owned by Southern Water and managed by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. The reserve is a mixture of open water, grassland and woodland.
Testwood Lakes is situated 1 ½ miles from the centre of Totton.
OS grid ref SU 348 151
 

Roydon Woods

Brockenhurst - Roydon Woods covers 950 acres and is owned by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. It is a SSSI, part of the New Forest SAC and within the New Forest National Park.
Roydon Woods is situated 1 ¼ miles south east of Brockenhurst (the main entrance is at Setley. OS grid ref SU 306 004)
 

St Catherine’s Hill

Winchester - A 58 hectare flower-rich chalk grassland with an abundance of wild flowers and butterflies. This is a great place to enjoy wildlife, ancient monuments and the most spectacular views over Winchester, the Itchen Valley and the surrounding countryside. St Catherine’s Hill is a fabulous place to enjoy a summer walk and picnic.
The reserve is one mile from Winchester city centre.
OS grid ref SU 484 276
 

Winnal Moors

Winchester - Winnall Moors has the renowned and beautiful River Itchen flowing throughout its length, providing much needed water for the wet grasslands, reedbeds and ponds.
The reserve is ½ mile from Winchester city centre and ¾ mile from Winchester station.
OS grid ref SU 486 297