Wellesley Woodlands comprises 110 hectares with a range of habitats from woodland, grassland, wetland, lakes and ponds interlinked by a network of footpaths and canal-side towpaths. Much of Wellesley Woodlands forms a linear park with Duke’s Wood to the west and Lake and Canal Side to the east. To the south there are two smaller woodlands, “Thorn Hill” and “Heather Hill”. This beautiful ribbon of natural greenspace is easily accessible and provides plenty of opportunities to explore, enjoy and relax in the rich biodiversity of the local countryside.
In 2024 Green Angels is running a Reptile Identification and Surveying course with trainers from Amphibian and reptile Conservation (ARC).
Conservation, Wildlife, Flora, Fauna
Wellesley Woodlands provides a fantastic green corridor of wood and heath. The Basingstoke Canal SSSI with its associated wet flashes runs through or adjacent to much of the site. The majority of the woodlands are dominated by oak, birch and beech, with localised areas of other species such as Scots pine, willow and alder. Several rides and glades with remnant heath and grassland, and a number of water features, are designated as Sites of Importance to Nature Conservation (SINC). Stag beetle stumperies, bat boxes and a bat hibernacula have been provided.
