Finchampstead Travel Guide

 easyoar Says:  There will be a bit of a theme to these Finchampstead tips... Quite a lot of lakes, woods and parkland.This lake is Heathlake, which is directly off the Nine Mile Ride, near Saint Sebastians (school and church) and Ravenswood.Heathlake was originally made at the request of... 

 easyoar Says:  I don't know whose house this is, but I drive past it frequently. Most of the time it looks quite unexciting, and the garden looks like a mass of small green shrubs. Then in Springtime, the Azaleas go crazy and the colour is amazing with lots of reds, purples, pinks and... 

 easyoar Says:  Yes, California really is in Finchampstead, but not the one you are thinking of. California Country Park is a great place to take the kids. It has a paddling pool (summer only), a good playground/adventure playground for the kids, and a big lake full of ducks, geese and... 

 easyoar Says:  An area of outstanding natural beauty which has a carpark just off of Wellingtonia Avenue. There are very picturesque woods and a very pretty lake which looks very good at sunset (the attached picture was taken shortly before sunset). The best way to see it is to stroll... 

 easyoar Says:  One of my favourite spots in the local area. Wellingtonia Avenue consists of around 100 Californian Redwood trees and was planted in 1863 to commemorate the Duke of Wellington.Around 20 years ago a fungus threatened to wipe out the trees, and one died, but fortunately the... 

 easyoar Says:  Finchampstead Ridges is a 60 acre common that has heather and bracken and numerous trees growing on it. Due to its elevated position, it has great views into Hampshire and Surrey and also the River Blackwater.The Ridges as it is commonly known amongst locals was recently won... 

 easyoar Says:  Saint James' Church was started around 1066, and still retains these current walls. The current shape of the church is little changed from around 1150, although the red brick tower was built around 1720.There is a nice walk through the church yard, and then alongside some... 

 easyoar Says:  I have been thinking long and hard as to whether there is even a hotel in Finchampstead. So far I have drawn a blank!The only place I can think of that it is possible to stay is at California Country Park. Either in a tent or in a caravan. A nice lake with lots of birds on... 

 easyoar Says:  This coot was at California Country park in Finchampstead. I have seen them on several lakes in the area, and they tend to keep themselves to themselves.This one was solitary and was ignoring me on the bank. It isn't one of the most attractive of water-fowl.If you are in the... 

 easyoar Says:  Well it has to be said that Finchampstead itself is pretty much off the beaten path. This makes it quite easy to spot wildlife whenever you are out and about in the woods or around. I have seen all sorts of animals here such as foxes, deer, rabbits, owls. Then you get some...