About us

Old Down Woodland Park is 12 hectares of former farmland with a narrow strip of mature beech wood. Both the grassland meadow and the mature woodland are classed as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).

Old Down is soon to be designated a Local Nature Reserve following a decision by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) in January 2026. Work is underway to develop the proposal and it is hoped that the Council will make that designation in July 2027.

Wildflower-rich chalk downland is a priority habitat in the Hampshire County Council Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).

In 2009 on Old Down we had identified 155 species of trees, shrubs, plants and grasses. In 2011 the figure was 226.

The Old Down Wildlife Group (ODWG) manages these areas for the benefit of the community and for wildlife in partnership with BDBC Ranger Team and other departments.

Aims of the Group

These are to;

• Restore or protect valuable and fragile wildlife habitats such as grassland and woodland.
• Increase the diversity and distribution of wildflowers and dependent species. We want to encourage more species and in increasing numbers so we attract even more interesting wildlife.
• Offer learning through training, practical work, talks and visits.

We do this through regular Work Parties to actively manage the planting on Old Down – a range of tasks to suit all interests and capabilities are available. We also conduct surveys of the flora and fauna on the Park. And there are a range of administrative activities needed to support our work.