Crab Wood
Winchester
Children will enjoy the spectacular carpets of bluebells on this walk as well as a trip to see the animals at Beechcroft Farm..
Crab Wood is one of the best places in Hampshire to see bluebells in spring
The Basics
Time: 30 minutes
Distance: 2 km / 1.3 miles
Terrain: Flat woodland paths, mostly firm and even.
Pushchair: Most of the paths around the woodland are suitable, some of the paths on our circular walk may be too narrow.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome at Crab Wood.
Refreshments: Beechcroft Farm Shop and Tea Barn is a minute’s drive away (or an uphill walk at the side of a road).
Toilets: There are no public toilets at the woodland.
Public Transport: There is no public transport to this location.
Parking: There is a free car park off Sarum Road, but for our route, we parked in a large lay-by on Woodman Lane. This is on your left if travelling towards Sparsholt, and is just after the woodland on your left ends at a field (Postcode: SO21 2PA - W3W: armrest.paraded.mixes)
Spring is one of the best times to visit Crab Wood
Crab Wood is a fine example of ancient coppiced woodland and this makes it the perfect habitat for bluebells. Come in spring for one of the best displays in Hampshire. After your walk, you can make the very short drive to Beechcroft Farm Shop Cafe with views across the fields that are usually full of pigs, sheep and cows.
The Route
From the lay-by, walk back up the lane in the direction of the woodland and take the first opening point into the woods up the bank on your right. Veer left and follow the woodland path closest to the road, which should be directly to your left. Pass one entrance gate with a Hampshire Countryside Service sign to your left and continue until you come to another pair of entry points like this, one on each side of the road.
Cross the road, go around the barrier and enter the woodland on the opposite side of the road. Continue straight at the fork and then keep going on the same path until you reach Lanham Lane.
Turn left at the lane and then at the very next barrier on your left, re-enter the woodland. Walk along the path and where a larger path leads off to the left (currently a fallen tree on that path) at a grassy triangle, keep right and continue. Ignore a smaller path off to your right and then take the slightly larger track to your left. Pass a large tree with an old pit to your right, and after this, go straight on at a small cross path where some trees have been felled.
When you reach a large tree at a cross path with a piece of blue rope hanging off it, turn left. The path in this final section of the walk does get narrower and may be tricky for pushchairs. At a small fork, bear left and keep left again at another very small fork. The little path will bend its way through the woodland and you should start to hear cars on Woodman Lane down to your left. The path will straighten out as it approaches the road and the lay-by where you parked your car.
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Did you know?
Over half the world’s population of bluebells grow in the UK.
Wild bluebells are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and it is illegal to pick of dig them up.
If you enjoyed this walk…
…try this one also at Farley Mount Country Park with details of another bluebell wood nearby
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