The Spinney Contact
The site contact for our The Spinney space is Edward Knowles
This space is managed by the Land Trust.
Region: South West
The Spinney is a prominent belt of mature beech, sycamore and lime trees planted in 1912 as a windbreak for the former Park Prewett Hospital estate, near Basingstoke, Hampshire. This lovely woodland avenue has a central path which provides opportunity for pleasant circular and short walks and wildlife spotting.
The Spinney is managed in partnership with Brimstones for the benefit of the local community and wildlife. Brimstones help us to look after the site and run community events.
The site contact for our The Spinney space is Edward Knowles
This space is managed by the Land Trust.
Open access.
On street parking nearby.
(click here to find the nearest public toilets)
Costa Coffee - Rooksdown is located in the centre of the site.
Free
Sections of the woodland path are suitable for wheelchair access.
Yes
Well controlled dogs welcome
Interesting heritage features include the former Park Prewett Hospital administration building with clock stone, Recreation Hall, Water Tower landmark, Park Prewett Farm barn, 4 wooden Garden Pavilions, Red K6 telephone kiosk and traces of the old Park Prewett Railway line.
The Spinney is a great place to spot woodland birds and other woodland wildlife. Grassland areas adjoining the woodland avenues are home to a wide range of flowering shrubs, wildflowers and insects.
Milestones museum, Basing Wood, The Vyne.
Park Prewett Road, Rooksdown, Basingstoke, Hampshire , RG24 9RG
Site size: 8.5 hectares
Park Prewett Hospital, also known as Park Prewett Mental Hospital, was a psychiatric hospital northwest of Basingstoke which operated from 1917 until 1997. It was built by the noted asylum architect George Thomas Hine following a report by the Lunacy Commission into overcrowding at Knowle Hospital in the south of the county. The Land Trust acquired the southern Spinney in 2012 and the northern Spinney in 2015.
There are plans to create a circular woodland trail ‘The Spinney Trail’ with enhanced access provision, woodland seating, interpretation and sculptures.
To contact the Land Trust about this site or how we could help manage your space please email our Countryside & Greenspace Officer (South & West) Jake Taylor .
To enquire about holding an event on a Land Trust site, please click here.
Download Spinney Beech Trail Leaflet Download Spinney Circular Trail Leaflet Download Spinney Health Trail Download Spinney Historic Trail Leaflet Download Spinney Lime Trail Leaflet
We are always on the look out for enthusiastic, committed people who want to make a real and lasting difference in their local community.
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