The group was formed to share knowledge about the unique wildlife habitats in the parish of Minchinhampton and to enjoy the local environment in the company of like-minded people. We also monitor and investigate local habitats in conjunction with conservation organisations. Knowledge that we gain is shared on this website and by creating documented walks around the parish.
This is a fairly level walk that follows the outer boundary of Minchinhampton Common. It can be started from a number of places, including the Bell Lane car park, the Common Road car park, the Beaudesert car park, and for local residents pretty much anywhere within Minchinhampton itself with the addition of a few minutes street walking to reach the Common.You can hardly get lost as long as you stick to the Common, and it can be made shorter by cutting corners. The views all around are excellent and the going normally very dry, unless after recent rain, and mostly on short grass. At the right season you will see abundant orchids and may come across relatively rare butterflies. The suggested route keeps you clear of the golfers on the Common - beware of walking across the fairways if golfers are active! It passes sufficiently close to two pubs in Amberley (the Amberley Inn or the Black Horse) to make the diversion negligible if you want to combine a walk with a pub lunch, or take a drink part-way round an evening walk.
The total length is about 4 miles (6.5 km) and the height variation no more than about 90ft (30 meters).
Dear All
You will remember that some of us enjoyed a damp evening walk with Chris Uttley earlier this summer, when he showed us why he is excited about the streams which converge on our land at Bubblewell. The attached is a draft report of a visit by Chris and a colleague of his from Natural Engalnd. He has called the stream which rises in the Old Vineyard Field 'the Shard Stream'. We have recently named it 'the Hampton Stream'.
As you will see, the streams are:
excellent examples of highly natural headwater streams, with apparently good continuity with their springs and flushes. They provide a high diversity of habitat conditions characteristic of natural stream function, within each stream and between them….. These streams and their interconnected spring and flush habitat, all the way to the springs and flushes at their stream heads, should be included in the 2014 map of priority river habitat that is now subject to on-going local refinement. The Shard stream should probably also be included in an inventory of SAC habitat 7220 (petrifying springs with tufa formation (Cratoneurion)….. The overall management objective for stream/mire habitat in this area should be natural ecosystem function. Minimal intervention other than to restore lost natural function where needed…..The Bubblewell/Minchinhampton stream/spring/flush system should be seen as part of a network of headwater systems of high conservation value running off the south Cotswolds that should be conserved in an integrated way based on natural ecosystem functioning
The reference to the Shard (aka the Hampton Stream) being included in an inventory of SAC habitats, means that this habitat is considered by Natural England to be a good example of habitat of European importance. As you will see, the connection with the springs and flushes is a fundamental part of the value of this habitat.
Lovely to have official confirmation that this is an exceptional habitat.
Karen
11th Sept 2015
The Minchinhampton Walking and Wildlife Group encourages an active interest in the local wildlife.
On the last Sunday of each month we normally meet at 10:30am in the Minchinhampton Bell Lane car park (see map) for a two-hour walk, with plenty of opportunities to look at local flora and fauna. The walk often ends with Sunday lunch at a local pub.
From time to time we venture further afield (though not usually very far) to look at nearby localities with particular wildlife interest.
Anyone is welcome to join us: there is no subscription. No special knowledge is required: most people come along casually to learn a bit more about what they can see around them on walks. Visitors to the area are welcome to join any of our walks. Just turn up. (However, if you intend to stay for the pub lunch, contact the walk organiser in advance so we can book enough room at the tables.)
See the Events list for details of the next walk.
You are very welcome to email natural history photographs to me from your private walks, that I can post on this site - or else join our Facebook group.
Some of our members are also actively involved in regular monitoring of local sites, for example checking the health of local native crayfish populations. We may also make comments on local planning applications where there will be an impact on the local natural environment.
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