LOCAL INFORMATION
Petersfield is an ancient market town originally built as a Norman 'new town' at the end of the 11th Century and is located in the Hampshire part of the South Downs National Park.
Rotherlands is a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) consisting of a semi-wild area of unmanaged grassland, scrub, woodland and river bank habitats. It is referred to as ‘Petersfield’s Hidden gem’ and is home to important wet alder woodlands and wet meadows along the River Rother valley, the least altered and unspoilt river system within the South Downs National Park.
The Rotherlands LNR runs to the south of the River Rother from Penns Place westwards to the junction of the Tilmore Brook and then along the Brook towards the built up area of Petersfield and forms a very important area of green space within the town.
This area would in the past have consisted of a series of grazed meadows, ponds and wet woodlands. The area is habitat for a variety of birds and insects as well as more unusual wildlife such as crayfish, badgers and otters. The site itself is owned by Petersfield town Council and active management takes place by the Rotherlands Conservation Group.
DISCOVERING MORE
Enjoy a riverside walk on the River Rother and Rotherlands LNR
The main square in Petersfield is the focal point of the town and provides the perfect venue for twice weekly markets on Saturdays and Wednesdays. There is also a Farmers' Market on the first Sunday of every month. At the centre stands the impressive equestrian statue of King William III.
The Church of St. Peter, just off the main square dates back to 1120 and retains many of the original features.
TRAVELLING SUSTAINABLY
Petersfield railway station is on the Portsmouth Direct Line which runs between London (London Waterloo) and Portsmouth (Portsmouth Harbour railway station). There are a number of buses that service the town from surrounding areas including: Number 17, 37, 38, 54, 67, 92 and 94.
PERMISSION
Cache placed with kind permission from Rotherlands Conservation Group