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Brightstone Copse

✦ Ancient woodland21 ha

Plan your visit

BirdsAncientBluebells
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome21 ha

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦59+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Robin and Woodpigeon
  • 🌳Ancient woodland is at its best in summer here
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Best for

11 activities

Bird watching

Very strong match

Free

Birds — Robin, Woodpigeon, Blue Tit +56 more · last seen 2025; Ancient woodland — owls, woodpeckers, warblers

Ancient woodland

Very strong match

Free

Ancient woodland — continuous woodland since before 1600

Bluebell walks

Strong match

Free

Ancient woodland — native bluebell habitat

Wildlife

Strong match

Free

Birds — Robin, Woodpigeon, Blue Tit +56 more · last seen 2025; Deciduous woodland priority habitat

Seasonal nature

Strong match

Free

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Hyacinthoides, Bluebell · last seen 2018

Mushroom foraging

Strong match

Varies

Fungi — Gymnopus fuscopurpureus, Aromatic Knight, Yellowing Knight +26 more · last seen 2019

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

4 signed routes nearby · 13 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
St Swithun's WayWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Hangers WayWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Selborne Common Walk, SelborneWalking route3.2 km

Experience this nature trail at Selborne Common in Hampshire that is an absolute must for nature lovers. Visitors can discover a variety of butterflies, birds and meadow flowers.

Named routeLength 3.2 kmDuration 02:00Round tripLocal walking route
Ox Drove WayWalking route
Named route
🚴

Cycling

38 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
National Cycle Route 23Cycling route
Named routeRef 23National Cycle Network
Discover the Hampshire South Downs by BikeCycling route
Named routeRef EHRegional cycle route
AltonCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Route 224Cycling route
Named routeRef 224National Cycle Network
Chawton, Selborne LCNCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Main RouteCycling route502 m
Named routeRef 224Length 502 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
🚵

Mountain biking

2 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Alton Off-Road Cycle TrailMountain bike route
Named routeHampshire off Road cycle trails
The Ox Drove mountain bike routeMountain bike route
Named route
🐴

Horse riding

10 public paths nearby

Public paths
Kitcombe Lanebyway open to all traffic · 321 m
Public pathbyway open to all trafficLength 321 mPath type: unclassified

Wildlife to spot

Photos

15 photos from nearby open sources

✦ Ancient✓ Public accessFree entry🐶 Dogs

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
  • 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat

Weather for this location

Next 14 days

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km