Discover a wildlife-rich landscape just outside Cranmore, offering a peaceful escape into nature. Ningwood Common combines woodland and heathland with a fascinating history and a strong sense of place.
Once settled by returning servicemen after the First World War, the area gradually reverted to woodland as heavy clay soils proved difficult to farm. This mix of habitats now supports thriving wildlife, making it a haven for red squirrels and dormice. In summer, woodland paths come alive with silver-washed fritillaries and white admiral butterflies dancing through sunlit clearings.
Early risers may hear the distinctive song of the nightingale, while dusk brings the churring call of nightjars and the silent flight of hunting barn owls. The heathland is also home to the rare reddish buff moth, found nowhere else in the UK, adding to the area’s unique natural appeal.
