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WALKS ON CHOBHAM COMMON

These walks are intended to give the walker an introduction to Chobham's famous Common. All are short walks of about an hour's duration and the starting points are readily accessible by car. The five walks have been chosen to show various aspects of the Common: ponds, woods and open heath. The serious walker who may prefer something more demanding should, with the aid of the sketch map, have no difficulty in finding his or her own tracks across this large area.

To the casual visitor, the Common may at first seem desolate and perhaps even devoid of interest. It certainly contains little in the way of beauty spots or stunning scenery. However, it does have its own charms - being the largest area of heathland in South East England, as well as a National Nature Reserve, it has a habitat and natural history which repays study. It is never crowded and, away form the car parks, it is possible to walk for hours without seeing another soul.

Walk 1 - Fishpool

This is a large and tranquil pond fringed by silver birch. From the Fishpool car park in the S.E. corner of the Common, walk a hundred yards along the track going south through the open heather hillside to the pond which will be found screened by the trees. The path can be followed all the way round the pond. It is one of the few areas suitable for picnicking or just sitting and meditating - bring a book!

Walk 2 - Monk's Walk

This is a stroll along wide paths, through woods which are initially scots pine but soon give way to birch before open heath is reached.

Monk's Walk starts at the sharp bend in the north-east corner of Gracious Pond Road. Parking is in a 'lay-by' west of the bend.

Although there may seem to be a multitude of paths, it really does not matter which you take - they all lead gently up hill through the woods, then to open glades and eventually down to Monk's Walk Pond. It has the advantage of being a circular walk (that is to say when retracing your steps you are unlikely to find the path that you originally followed, nevertheless, will be led back to where you started!).

Walk 3 - Round Pond and Chobham Place Woods(Suitable for wheelchairs and prams)

This is an area of deep and delightful sweet-chestnut woods on the western edge of the Common. It is particularly attractive in the Autumn when the colours are at their best.

The car park is a disused road at the Windsor Road end of Valley End Road.

Although Chobham Place Woods are fenced, small gates allow admittance to the public. A gravel path, suitable for wheelchairs, follows the line of pines and chestnuts that once formed the drive of Chobham Place. Look out for the giant sequoia trees.

Walk 4 - Monument to Long Arm Pond

The Common to the north of the motorway has a character all of its own: very open, spacious and little visited. It is somewhat reminiscent of the character of the Yorkshire and Scottish moors.

From the Monument car park, walk up to the top of the hill and then follow the ridge going north-east to the eastern boundary of the Common. A path running north to south will bring you to Long Arm Pond. It is of special interest in the Summer when the dragon and damsel flies put on a spectacular display.

Walk 5 - Jubilee Mount

Everyone should make a point of visiting Jubilee Mount, a small nature reserve of considerable character in the middle of the Common. A car park has been created about 200 yards to the north.

This nine acre area of the Common was set aside by a former Lord Onslow, the Lord of the Manor and himself a soldier, for use as allotments for ex-servicemen returning after the Crimean War of 1854-56.

This use continued for many years under what has come to be known as the Poor Allotments Charity. After World War II, the Mount was taken over by a local nurseryman and planted with a variety of conifer trees and shrubs, many of which remain today, and have grown into fine specimens.

During the year of the Queen's jubilee, 1977, the Mount was purchased by a group of local subscribers and presented to the Chobham Parish Council as an open space for all to enjoy in perpetuity. It is maintained by a Management Committee and can be used as an educational nature trail (detailed botanical information leaflets are available), and, with the Warden's permission, as a camping site and for picnics and barbecues. Group visits can be arranged, but must be notified in advance to the Warden:-

Mr. E.C. Rouffignac The Sanctuary Clearmount Chobham (Tel: 857368)