Hodgemoor
Wood is an Site of Special Scientific Interest between Amersham, Chalfont
St.Giles and Seer Green. For us it's an area of outstanding natural beauty,
flora & fauna, funky great oaks, dedicated horse trails and lots of
walking. The Forestry Commission (01296 625825) does what it can on limited
budgets to maintain the woods, but depends on its users in the form of
associations like ours to help with maintenance.
Horse riders: The riding trails
in Hodgemoor Wood are maintained by the Hodgemoor Riding Association for
the Forestry Commission. Since
2000 the Hodgemoor Riding Association has raised close to £100,000
for renovating the paths in the woods and for off-road access. We have
also generated a new bridleway and four new permissive trails... 3000 metres
of new track costing £36 per metre! The two pictures on the right
are the same place, the Spring Link, before and after our work. Amazing.
The objective has been to keep horses on their allocated paths and to free
the wood from extensive areas of mud in winter. This makes the wood a nicer
place for walkers and ramblers, and indeed, the Association was honoured
by the British Horse Society's Access Award 2005 for the success of their
work. As of 1 April 2008 it is compulsory to be a member of the Association
to use the permissive trails in the wood. Membership includes sponsored
rides, Le Trec, cross-country jumping, demonstrations and other events,
access to Thames Valley Horse Watch information
(on
the web), your map of the woods and the 3-yearly e-newsletter. 
Click here to see a membership
application form and standing
order form. You can pay your subscription, an event entry fee, use
of the X-Country field, or a donation with your PayPal account; select
the option from the drop-downs then click on the Pay or Subscribe button.
But please make sure you send your completed membership application form
or event entry form at the same time so we know who the payment is from.
Walkers: The Hodgemoor Riding Association welcomes walkers and has several walker members. Those that have joined are supportive of the maintenance efforts and of co-operation between the different users of the woods. If you come by car, cyclists and riders would be most grateful if you park considerately. It is easy at Rawlings Corner and Widmer Corner to block the cyclist/horse entrance; please try not to – remember there is a big free car park off Bottrells Lane. We would welcome greater walker membership and contributions to this site (see Walkers & Cyclists ).
Cyclists are allowed on the two bridle paths, and are exceptionally permitted by the Forestry Commission on the permissive trails (those marked as horse trails) in Hodgemoor. Much of the fund-raising by the Hodgemoor Riding Association was based on the benefits to all users of the wood as an amenity. The Forestry Commission has recently confirmed that, although cyclists have no legal rights other than on the bridleways, they are welcome on the permissive trails in Hodgemoor as long as the trails are suitable for the purpose (i.e. they must be marked as riding trails with the horseshoe sign on a post). Cycling is not permitted elsewhere in the wood. By the way, when you're approaching horses from behind, please ting the bell or make a cheery "hello" before arriving to warn those spooky horses that you are there. Thanks so much.
Neither motorcycles nor any other powered vehicles are permitted in the wood. Police action has recently been taken against motocross bikes in Hodgemoor. If you see powered vehicles in the woods please 1) take photos 2) note registration numbers or other details 3) phone the police on 0845 8505505 or 121 and 4) phone Marcus Bicknell (Volunteer Forest Warden) on 07748 111444.
Please save 0845 8505505 to your mobile phone. If you see any motorised vehicle in the wood, call them!
Horse riders should also note that riding in fields adjoining Hodgemoor is not permitted other than directly on the bridleways. However, members can rent the mini-cross-country field at any time, £5 per horse. The field is seven acres with 20 large jumps (including an arrowhead (image right), a ditch, doubles, a corner, a bench and a 3 foot bread loaf) and twenty small jumps Call Susie 01494 872447 to book and pay.
Click here to see a map of the paths showing which are bridleways.
Hodgemoor from the air, seen from the South:
