The Chase

About

The Chase is a quiet 143-acre nature reserve of woodland, meadow and heathland near Woolton Hill, close to the Hampshire and Berkshire border. Sir Kenneth Swan bought the land in 1930, and it soon became the reserve it is today, where horned cattle graze freely among the trees. Paths wind through broadleaf and coniferous woodland, past streams and a lake, and the mix of habitats draws schools and naturalist groups as well as local walkers. Reviewers single out the stream, where children paddle in wellies, and the large cattle wandering through the woods, and they like the choice of paths, from gravel tracks to marked trails. Tips from visitors: the free car park is small, and wellies are worth packing for the stream. There are no toilets, and kissing gates guard every entrance. Dogs are welcome but must stay on a lead throughout the reserve.

CountrysideDog friendlyCar parkDogs on leads

Check today’s timesSee all times

CountrysideOpen all day

Opening times may change at short notice.

Countryside open all day on the NT opening calendar.

No toilets. Kissing gates at all points of entry.

Horned cattle graze freely throughout the reserve; follow the Countryside Code.

Photo: Woodland pond at The Chase. Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Woodland_Pond,_The_Chase_-_geograph.org.uk_-_7619990.jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0. Resized and cropped for display; derivatives retain the source licence.

Dogs at the location: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs welcome on a lead.

Dog walks in the grounds: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs may walk the reserve's paths on a lead; cattle graze freely.

Leads: On a lead throughout.

PricingFreeFree for all visitors

Free entry for everyone

Entry

Free for everyone

Pricing details

Free to visit for everyone.

ParkingFree parkingFree for all visitors

No charge for anyone.

Parking details

Free National Trust car park off Station Road, East Woodhay, Woolton Hill (NT postcode RG20 9TN). No overnight parking. Reviewers describe it as small; one guesses room for about 30 cars. The reserve can also be entered on foot through a gate just past the Rampant Cat pub.

Driving pin: the NT car park, taken from NT's own coordinate, which matches OpenStreetMap's 'Chase Car Park' (way 28334702) within about 5 m and a geograph photo titled 'The Chase car park' (SU 4415 6303). The RG20 9TN postcode centroid, about 650 m south-west, was not used.