Hazeley Heath

Hazeley Heath is a surviving haven of the once sprawling lowland heathland of south England. The UK has lost over 75% of lowland heath over the last 200 years, which is why we protect this reserve for the wildlife that calls it home.

An ancient habitat, heathlands were first utilised when Bronze Age farmers cleared trees across the heath to create grazing land and provide building materials. It continued to be used by people for centuries, for grazing, fuel and materials, maintaining an open landscape with a mosaic of micro-habitats. But from the early 20th century, many traditional practices started to decline and this rare habitat was lost.

To improve the heathland at Hazeley, we are undertaking a program of tree felling, scrub clearance, heather mowing, bracken control and soil scraping. This will mimic some of the traditional land uses that maintained the heath for millennia and create ideal conditions for heathland wildlife.

Unfortunately, heathland restoration is rarely a pretty process. It can involve the use of heavy machinery and takes time. While we carry out the work, parts of the heathland may look a little unsightly – please bear with us, it will look better eventually.