Jan 10 2023

Tweseldown Racecourse

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Tweseldown Racecourse near Church Crookham in Hampshire…expect to see horses!

You’ll see plenty of heathland and wildlife too. It may feel like mid-winter, but Woodlarks, one of our very special heathland birds, have already been heard singing here this week! That means males are already advertising their presence to potential mates. I’m glad they think spring is on the horizon!

The heathland here is owned by the Ministry of Defence and has been managed by Tweseldown Racecourse as a commercial equestrian training and competition facility since 1866. There are no official public rights of way marked on Ordnance Survey maps, but the racecourse allow access when it’s safe to do so and simply ask that we follow the Ministry of Defence Byelaws and all signs, notices and directions. The racecourse want Tweseldown to be part of the local community, but to keep everyone safe they ask that we walk elsewhere during busy times (9am-6pm) and competitions. And when we do come, we are responsible dog owners, keep dogs on leads and keep well clear of jumps, buildings and marquee areas.

The area is an important heathland nature reserve and part of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area. The racecourse have worked very hard in recent years to make sure it’s managed sensitively, with heathland wildlife very much in mind. Heathland birds, including, Woodlarks, Dartford Warblers and Nightjars, tend to nest on, or very near, the ground.  To help them, it’s essential that we keep to main paths from March to September. And it’s especially important to keep dogs under control and with you on the main paths, as birds that nest on the ground are easily scared off their nests. It’s not necessarily that dogs chase or even harm the birds, but if they’re repeatedly scared off, they’ll eventually abandon their nests. So please do help us spread the word, keeping to the main paths from March to September will protect the birds, and other wildlife, and help the racecourse keep us all safe too.

Good to know…

Find a free car park on Bourley Road, Church Crookham near Fleet in Hampshire. What3Words: imperious.bicker.spilled.

Dogs on leads please.

If you’re a regular dog walker and would like to try somewhere new, to help protect this fragile place, our top recommendations are Naishes Wood at Crookham Park (1.3 miles),  Edenbrook Country Park near Fleet (3.3 miles) and Southwood Country Park near Farnborough (3.2 miles). Our ‘Greenspace on your doorstep’ pages have loads more options too.

Any concerns can be reported to the racecourse on 01252 819961.

Tweseldown gallery…

Photo of the view from Tweseldown in winter, brown bracken in the foreground and the view stretching off into the distance
Tweseldown is a lovely place for a walk, even in January!
Photo of a wooden horse jump, with heathland in the background
It’s an equestrian training and competition facility, as well as a heathland nature reserve and part of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area.
Photo of a sign at the entrance to Tweseldown, asking people to act responsibly (as per this article)
Signs at official entry points ask us to behave responsibly, to keep us all safe.
Photo of the entrance to the car park, with its height barrier
There’s a small car park on Bourley Road, What3Words: imperious.bicker.spilled. Note the height barrier.
Photo of sunshine on a wintery day at Tweseldown, with open heathland and scattered trees
The open nature of the landscape at Tweseldown makes it perfect habitat for ground-nesting birds and the racecourse have been working hard in recent years to keep the habitats in great condition.
Photo of our team looking for the Woodlark's nest
In fact Tweseldown was the place selected in May 2022 to teach our seasonal team about ground-nesting birds. And here are some of us taking a closer look at a Woodlark nest that had sadly been abandoned.

Photo of heathland vegetation, there's a Woodlark nest hidden here, but it's very difficult to see
Here’s what we were looking at in the previous photo! It’s very hard to spot, but hidden under the small gorse bush is a Woodlark nest! Would you spot it if you strayed off the path?
Photo of a small clearing in amongst heather and birch saplings
Equally difficult to spot is a Nightjar nest. Also photographed at Tweseldown in May 2022.
Photo of one of our branded signs attached to the gate, asking people to keep to paths
That’s why we put up signs every season from March to September to remind us all about the birds that nest here.
Photo of a wide sandy path leading through heathland vegetation
It would be wonderful if everyone could keep to main paths during the season and help the birds to have a successful breeding season.
Photo of the view from Tweseldown in spring, with green grass and bracken in the foreground and the view stretching off into the distance
Enjoy your walks, and the gorgeous views…
Photo of a water jump at Tweseldown, the pond is full after recent heavy rain
…but please steer clear of the jumps, buildings and the marquee areas.

Photo of sunshine on a wintery day at Tweseldown, with open heathland and scattered trees
And please remember that birds are nesting on the ground from March to September.

 

[Click on the images for the full size versions, and to see the captions for more information]

Thank you everyone 🙏

Sarah
Thames Basin Heaths Partnership

Pictorial messages for "Keep to main paths", "Prevent fires" and "Explore alternatives"

#PawsOnPathsPlease

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