Barossa & Poors Allotments

The name “Barossa” is used to describe two areas of countryside, both of which are managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT). The main part of Barossa is an extensive area of open dry heathland scattered with mixed woodland and is owned by the MoD. Poors Allotments connects onto Barossa to the east and is owned by The Windlesham United & Poors Allotment Charities. Both are havens for numerous rare plants, invertebrate and bird species such as sundews, green tiger beetles and Nightjar.

Barossa is first and foremost an active military training area for the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, so when enjoying the informal access that exists please respect any military activity that may be taking place. The site has a 350ha dry training area which has unofficial public access everyday and there is also a 250ha range danger area, although this has no civilian access. SWT work in partnership with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, the Heathland Conservation Society and Natural England in managing the site. As a large part of the site is in Berkshire we are also working closely with Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT).

The lowland heathland habitat comprises dry heath, such as the lovely heather covered slopes on either side of Saddleback Hill, and wet heath around Wishmoor Bottom. There are areas of pine woodland and native deciduous woodland, and this diversity of habitats attracts a great variety of wildlife.

However, the heathland habitat is under threat from silver birch, pine scrub and purple moor grass. Alongside other management techniques, such as scrub bashing with volunteers, a grazing agreement with the MoD exists to enable Surrey Wildlife Trust to graze Barossa starting summer 2011.

Autumn/Winter 2011 Ranger Notes.

Find out more about SWT's Grazing Project.

Access off Kings Ride, Camberley, GU15 4JE.

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SWT joins forces with Defence Infrastructure Organisation to help Barossa’s heathland

Surrey Wildlife Trust has joined forces with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation to help manage a huge, 580 ha Site of Special Scientific Interest near Camberley called Barossa.