Thanks for your interest in our Nature Hunt. Unfortunately this is a mobile only experience so please use your phone
Thanks for your interest in our Nature Hunt. Unfortunately this is a mobile only experience so please find us on your mobile device
This bit is for the adult explorers!
This a self guided trail so we’ll need your help to keep our adventurers on track and engaged!
Not everything that we point you to be will found today or easy to spot but encourage your young ones to take time to look around them and listen carefully!
They're going to need all of their senses and exploring should be 95% of the fun!
Tips for Explorers
Be careful! You'll be walking alongside rivers, near trees and through wet grasslands in places so watch your step
Always have the right equipment. If its wet, wear wellies. If its hot, bring water. If too much of either of things, maybe come another day!
Leave nothing but footprints! We hope you see and hear lots of wildlife today but leave nothing behind that could harm them once you're gone
Southwood Woodland is owned by Rushmoor Borough Council and maintained by the Southwood Woodland Improvement group.
They run regular work parties, with the help of the Blackwater Valley Countryside partnership to protect and preserve the site
Our Hunt starts at the sign by the Kennel Lane entrance
While we have your attention, we have to thank those helped to make our Hunt today
The Drone footage at the start of our trail was filmed and produced by Rob Follett Creative
Much of the photography was taken by Colin Varndell
Wildlife expertise was provided by Steve Bailey and Bernard Baverstock
The graphic design work was done by students at Farnborough College of Technology
When you reach the next path junction, turn right and then keeping walking until you see a clearing with a Heathland sign
As you follow the path, look out for piles of sticks and logs alongside the path. These are left to provide a habitat for Stag Beetles!
In the early Summer evenings, you will see the adult Beetles flying about
But first, stop and listen. What can you hear?
Southwood Woodland sits between housing, roads and Farnborough airport, providing a constant backdrop of noise.
Natural spaces like these continue to provide a safe haven for our wildlife so its important that people like you protect them for years to come!
Where are you going to visit next?
There are so many other places to explore in the Blackwater Valley and we have a growing number of Nature Hunts!
Explorers, its time for us to end our hunt
Leave the clearing by any of the footpaths and make your way back to the car park, keeping your eyes peeled and your ears open! You never know what you'll see and hear so be alert!
We hope you've enjoyed yourselves today!
Adults, there are a couple more things just for you before you go!
Nature Hunt is a new initiative to get young people out into our natural spaces and build their curiosity about the wildlife they can find
We want our hunts to be engaging for our Explorers but also easy for you to lead so if you have feedback on the hunt, here at Hawley Meadows or any other site, please let us know by emailing dan.lemarquand@bvct.org.uk
And last thing! If your young explorer enjoyed our Nature Hunt, please consider becoming a member of the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust for just £5 a year!
We're a charitable organisation who protect & enhance the valley and your membership fees help us to continue to this
It also means we’ll put together more of these Nature Hunts in future to entertain your little ones!