Lovely area of mixed woodland (beech, oak and conifers), although the brambles can be fearsome in parts of this wood during the warmer months. Steepsided stream valleys and flat plateaus in between with lots of reentrants offer a true orienteering challenge and the extensive path network makes the area sutable for introductory events too. The visitor centre and cafe have a play area, toilets and room that can be hired. Permanent Orienteering Course with a map showing all the posts…
This area is now large enough to be used for a West Midland League event. It includes a former golf course in the south; Burlish Top was a WW2 US military training camp and hospital (remains of concrete road and building foundations are still visible), while the Rifle Range in the north was used in WW1. The vegetation is a mix of heath and acid grassland, surrounded by oak and birch scrub, and the terrain mainly gently undulating but with…
Reclaimed industrial land, stabilised slag heaps, former rough pasture, several canals, lots of lakes and ponds. Little copses. Has been used for Summer Series events Events held in earlier years:
One of the club’s very best areas; it covers a massive expanse – all of which can be used for orienteering and has been used for major events like the British Long Distance championships and the Easter JK festival. This area is a real challenge for experienced orienteers. Newcomers can either play safe with an easier course or be prepared to be out for a long time! It is private woodland and farmland with no public access. One large hill…
National Trust site with a mixture of open parkland and woods. There is a Permament Orienteering course with a map showing all the posts. The area can host a Level C event, and has been used for Club Chamnpionships and schools events.
A small but delightful area that has only been used twice, in 2012 on a very warm February day and again in August 2023 on an even warmer evening. It is remote from most HOC members (but just across the main road from Brockhampton.) And it has a good pub in the middle of the area. Our neighbouring club, North Gloucester OC has created a Smartphone course there – details here: https://www.ngoc.org.uk/course/bringsty-common/
Gentle to steep stream valley sides with a flat plateau. Re-entrants and niches in valley sides. Mostly coniferous plantation – it may be dark but it is now nice and clear underfoot. The stream bank (20% of area) is an exceptional oak woodland with heather and bilberry ground cover. Very fast very pretty. Some large patches of brambles but the extensive path/forest road network means these can be avoided.
Used for larger events; in recent years mainly the bi-annual Springtime in Shropshire, it is a private estate with no public access. Brampton Bryan Park lies on Pedwardine Hill, which at its highest point is over 300 metres above sea level. It provides an enjoyable mixture of open parkland and extremely mixed but generally runnable woodland on a network of steep sided valleys and rolling hilltops. The trees in the park are predominantly oaks, with some beech, ash and lime….