Pirbright Military Heritage Trail

It was my pleasure last week to attend the official opening of the MOD’s splendid new Pirbright Military Heritage Trail. A wonderful remembrance-themed trail around the Pirbright Danger Area, enabling safe access for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. As well as celebrating the unique military history of this beautiful landscape, the trail also showcases its rare heathland wildlife. Almost 50% of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area is Defence Training Estate land and so we were delighted when the Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s Access and Recreation team asked for our help in compiling the trail. Each of the 13 information boards showcases a particular feature of the heathland, alongside beautifully researched military anecdotes, past and present.

Col Richard Gibb at the official opening of the Pirbright Military Heritage Trail

We hope you enjoy discovering the new panels around the trail, with over ten miles of waymarked public rights of way and permissive tracks. They feature all our favourite heathland characters including the Dartford Warbler, the Woodlark and of course, my favourite, the Nightjar. You’ll also discover some of the rarer plants and insects. All funded by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s Conservation Stewardship Fund.

One of 13 newly installed boards with information about local military and natural history

More information about the trail and safe access can be found here.

This will be my last blog post as Communications Officer for the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership. I’m moving to a new role at Natural England, as part of the Connecting People with Nature team. Thank you to everyone who has supported my work here over the last 9 years.

Sarah
Thames Basin Heaths Partnership