Naishes Wood at Crookham Park

  • Free parking (2m height restriction)
  • Disabled parking bays
  • Bins
  • Benches
  • Network of footpaths
  • Some surfaced paths and boardwalks (no complete surfaced loop)
  • Choice of routes up to 6km through meadows and woodland
  • Open views across surrounding countryside
  • Unique collection of World War II pillboxes
  • 2km purpose-built all-weather bridlepath
See route…

 

 

Where you’ll find it…

Naishes Wood has a large free car park next to the allotments, just off Naishes Lane, Church Crookham, nearest postcode GU52 8DT.  Grid reference SU 81347 50828. What3Words: summit.sparrows.nail. It’s sign-posted from Naishes Lane, keep your eyes peeled for brown signs pointing to “Naishes Wood SANG”.

N.B. We’ve given the nearest postcode, but recommend using the links to look up the exact location. The centre of a postcode may be up to half a mile from your destination.

What you’ll find there…

A walk here is a pleasure, in any weather, in any season. With lots of wildlife to enjoy, including Treecreepers, Buzzards, Nuthatches, Roe Deer and woodpeckers. And don’t miss the English Bluebell display in spring (the best area is the woodland in the south west corner, named Ridding’s Copse on some maps). As you explore, you’ll come across open areas with fine views across the surrounding countryside. And more intriguingly, scattered about, are a large number of World War II pillboxes, once part of a significant line of defence that ran from Hook to Salisbury!

This extensive public space was formerly Queen Elizabeth Barracks, home to the Gurkha Rifles, but has now been set aside for the residents of Crookham Park and the wider community. Also known as the SANGS Project, Naishes Wood features around 160 hectares of woodland and meadows, with a network of unsurfaced and surfaced paths, boardwalks and bridleways.

The longest walks may require a short section of pavement walking, through the Crookham Park housing development. Use the “See route…” button above to display a suggested route.

Gallery…

Photo of the view from the top of the hill. A pillbox in the foreground. View out over attractive countryside beyond.
Naishes Wood, October 2024
Photo of a rough path through long grass, with scrubby bushes on one side and tall Oak trees on the other.
Naishes Wood, October 2024
Photo of play equipment for children. Climbing equipment built from wooden posts.
Naishes Wood, October 2024
Photo showing one of the entrances to the walk. It has a large sign with a map. There is a wide gravel path at this point and ahead are gateways through a wooden fence.
Naishes Wood, October 2024
Photo of a rough path under an avenue of leafless trees.
Naishes Wood, October 2024
Photo of the entrance to the car park. Shows a 2m height barrier across a tarmac entrance.
Entrance to Naishes Wood, October 2024

Photo of the car park at Nailshes Wood. It's a large, level car park with spaces marked out with white lines. It's made of block paving.
Car park at Naishes Wood, October 2024
Photo taken looking down the route the ESSO pipeline took. Now a new gravel path has taken its place.
Remedial work underway through the route of the Esso pipeline at Naishes Wood, February 2024
Photograph taken across the top of a hedge with early white blossom
Naishes Wood, February 2024
Wintery photo taken at the top of a small hill with two brick pill boxes on the top of the hill.
Naishes Wood, February 2024
Photo of wooden gateway looking out over countryside.
Naishes Wood, December 2022
Photo of a hillside with frost on the ground and distant views.
Naishes Wood, December 2022

Photo of a frosted bridge with sunshine streaming through the trees ahead.
Naishes Wood, December 2022
Photo of a hillside with frost on the ground and two pill boxes on the top of the hill.
Naishes Wood, December 2022
Photo of a hillside with frost on the ground and the sun setting behind a pill box.
Naishes Wood, December 2022
Photo of woodland with frost on the ground.
Naishes Wood, December 2022
Photo of a frosted boardwalk.
Naishes Wood, December 2022
Photo of a walkway through the housing estate.
Crookham Park adjacent to Naishes Wood, December 2022

Photo of a boardwalk across damp ground. Goes past an attractive oak tree.
Boardwalk at Naishes Wood, April 2022
Photo of spring flowers including primroses, lesser celendines and bluebells.
Spring flowers at Naishes Wood, April 2022
Photo of wide track with fences either side.
Bridleway at Naishes Wood, April 2022
Photo of bluebells in the woodland.
Bluebells at Naishes Wood, April 2022
Photo of another boardwalk winding through woodland.
Boardwalk at Naishes Wood, April 2022
Photo of two hilltop pillboxes with a wide view beyond.
Great hilltop views from Naishes Wood, April 2022

Wide view of surrounding countryside.
Great hilltop views from Naishes Wood, April 2022
Photo of a hilltop pillbox.
One of many World War II pillboxes at Naishes Wood, April 2022

 

This ‘Greenspace on your doorstep’ is managed by…

Naishes Lane SANGS

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