Rushmere Country Park: Stockgrove Lake and woodland

A 4 km woodland circuit between Rushmere’s main visitor centre and Stockgrove Lake, passing the open ground near the Stockgrove sundial before returning through the southern woods. Allow about an hour and three quarters for the slopes, lake views and pauses. The sandy Greensand landscape gives this walk a different character from the surrounding clay countryside.

Start inside the main Rushmere car park, reached from Linslade Road in Heath and Reach. Walk north past the visitor facilities and follow the shared woodland path towards Stockgrove. Turn northeast through the woods and open ground to Stockgrove Visitor Centre, then head southwest beside the western shore of Stockgrove Lake. Continue south from the lake, turn through the woodland paths above Shire Oak Heath and return west to the main visitor centre. Follow the plotted circuit at junctions; it combines walking paths on the Greensand Trust’s park map.

Expect roots, sandy paths, some climbs and muddy patches after rain. The park has dedicated mountain-bike and horse-riding trails as well as shared paths. Keep to the walking route, check before crossing cycle trails and give horses room on shared sections. Stay outside the signed conservation areas around the lake and Heron Valley, and keep back from the water. Follow local signs for where dogs must be on leads.

There are visitor facilities at the main entrance and café and toilets at Stockgrove, with their own opening hours. Parking is paid using number-plate recognition. Pay before leaving at the machines near the visitor centres; payment is not available at the exit barrier. Check the current gate closing time on arrival and leave enough time to return.

Route, access and parking information checked against the Greensand Trust’s Rushmere Country Park map and visitor information: https://www.greensandtrust.org/find-us