Farley Mount Country Park (1)

The Country Park is named after the famous monument to a horse, named "Beware Chalk Pit", which carried its owner to a racing victory in 1734, a year after having fallen into a chalk pit whilst out fox-hunting.On the downs a few miles west of Winchester lies Farley Mount Country Park, a large area of open country and woods, including chalk down grass land, Forestry Commission plantation and Crabwood which is Ancient woodland Local Nature Reserve. The Clarendon Way long distance footpath runs through the site and at the highest point there is a pyramid shaped folly that gives the park its name. Many groups begin their day's activities exploring the wider countryside by meeting at the Park, and moving on to use the extensive system of all types of Rights of Way that surround the area. Crab Wood is a fine example of Ancient Woodland. It is a popular place to relax and view woodland wildlife. It is a Local Nature Reserve, and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Over 80 hectares (200 acres) of broadleaved woodland, hazel coppice with oak/ash overstorey, and rich with woodland flowers.