Burnham Beeches Management Plan 2010 - the City of London ...

1.6.2 Access Provision
Although most people come to Burnham
Beeches by car there are links to public
transport, with bus stops in Farnham Common
village only a short walk away. The nearest
railway station is Burnham, but Slough and
Beaconsfield have better links, being on a direct
bus route through Farnham Common.
Under the Open Spaces Act visitors can access
the Beeches on foot at all times. The main car
park area is at the eastern end of Lord Mayor’s
Drive, accessible from Farnham Common. This,
and other car park gates are shut at night.
Access within the Beeches is restricted for most
vehicles but the car free zone is accessible to
those with restricted mobility by collecting a
zapper for the gate from the office. A ‘Tramper’
(off road wheelchair) is also available for free
loan from the office but must be booked in
advance.
A network of
surfaced paths
allows easy
walking and use
of push chairs
and wheel chairs
in the area
around Lord
Mayor’s Drive
and to the ponds
and café.
1 Site Description - access and visitors
There are no public footpaths across the
Beeches but the Reserve is linked to other places
of local interest and to two long distance paths:
the Beeches Way and the Shakespeare Way.
1.6.3 Visitor and Information Facilities
Close to Victory Cross and the main parking
area are two attractive buildings housing the
public toilets, café and information point, all of
which are open daily (except on Christmas Day).
Volunteers at the information point at
weekends and bank holidays help visitors by
providing information and answering queries.
Interpretation boards at Victory Cross and in the
small shelters around the Beeches provide
information about events and also updates on
current issues and news.
There is a sensory trail
featuring tactile
sculptures inspired by the
Beeches around the easy
access paths; an audio
guide to accompany this
What Do You Like Most?
“I love the trees and
walking amongst
them, also the
sensory trail”
2009 public consultation
is available from the Burnham Beeches office or
can be downloaded from the website.
Bins for dog faeces are at major entrances and
in high use areas; bags are provided here and
information regarding dog issues is printed on
the bags and on the bins themselves. A dog
code has been developed that guides
expectations for dog control and management
within Burnham Beeches.
A twice yearly newsletter provides regular
visitors and those on a mailing list with
information about current news and issues and
also includes background articles of interest.
The newsletter also includes information about
events and practical volunteer tasks open to all.
The Rangers run an average of two events each
month, these usually have a theme and vary
from gentle strolls to more adventurous walks.
Other free literature for visitors, available at the
information point, includes three self guided
trails and a range of Fact Sheets covering issues
such as deadwood management, fungi and
cycling at Burnham Beeches.
The website provides up to date information
about Burnham Beeches, with ‘What’s New’
updated monthly; the newsletters, leaflets, fact
sheets, management plan and other documents
are available here as well as in paper format
from the office.
11