Barossa Nature Reserve — Attraction in Surrey Heath

A special place for locals that is mercifully under developed. Your walk will only really be spoiled by irresponsible others, such as bike riders who believe it's a race track and who can't stop in time, dog walkers who don't keep their pets under control which is the root cause of the decline in rare birds and or that group who like to hang bags of dog poo in trees, motorcyclists who think that scrambling here is OK and they'll never hit anyone, and idiots who set fires in the summer coz they is bored and want to see a big fire engine. Mostly though, it's lovely people being responsible. If you are lucky, you'll meet lots of wildlife including adders, free roaming cows, deer, rabbits and rare endangered birds including Dartford Warblers, Nightjars and Woodlarks, and the endangered...

The area itself is stunning. A predominantly Scott's pine forest covered in beautiful pink heather at this time of year. However it's worth noting, as others have, that it is an army training site and therefore some precautions must be adhered to if you want to use it. There aren't any toilets cafes etc. here so that's also worth bearing in mind if you need those things head to the nearby Swinley forest instead.

I've seen complaints from locals about folks using their street as parking because "they don't want to pay". For the record Google maps takes you to entry on a residential street, once there I sat trying to re-navigate to a car park for the reserve, more than willing to pay but if there is one Google doesn't...

Barossa is literally a 3 minute walk from my home. There are a number of entrance and exit points and when you are on the Common literally miles of trails to walk, run, cycle or walk your dog.

It is owned by the MOD so you will encounter soldiers on exercise but they are very friendly and do not bother you to any degree.

There is some wildlife you can spot i.e various birds butterflies and snakes (adder and grass snake) if your lucky.

In the spring and summer you will also find belted Galloway cattle grazing. Again they will...