The Water Tower

This area is owned, I believe, by the Ministry of Defence and is used for training and exercises. It is open to the public and has many trails mainly through woodland but some open areas. It is hilly but tracks are well made - children will enjoy it. There is a free car park off the Maultway.

It is hard to get lost here, boundaries are the railway and the M3 although there is a steep underpass to further military land with tracks south of the motorway. That offers a slightly strenuous chance to walk to the great views of High Curley (see our Lightwater Country Park walk) but you will probably need a map to find that.

View from High Curley

Abutting this land is private land with some 'No Trespassing' signs. The open grassed area has been used, presumably with informal permission, for many years for recreation and has a wonderful weeping willow tree and a circular walk.  Crossing the grassland from Black Hill there is a lower path - see map below, leading to the end of the housing close to the M3 motorway. A path passes between the housing and the M3 Motorway and by following this you will soon reach the bridge over the M3 to Lightwater Country Park. This again offers a chance to visit High Curley and do a circular walk via the underpass.

A thing to watch out for on the MoD tracks is that some are used for high speed vehicle testing, you will need to be aware if that is going on while you are in the area.