• Tourism

• About Surrey Heath
• Attractions
• Blackwater Valley Walks
• • Blackwater Valley
  • Blackwater Valley Path
  • Coleford Bridge to M3 Bridge Route
  • Hollybush Pits to Coleford Bridge Route
  • M3 Bridge to Blackwater Park Route
  • Path sections on the boundary of Surrey Heath
• Maps
• Surrey Heath Museum
• Where to stay

Blackwater Valley

The Blackwater Valley lies on the boundaries of Hampshire, Berkshire and Surrey, encompassing the 21-mile long River Blackwater, which stretches from Rowhill Nature Reserve in the south to Swallowfield in the north. Located on Surrey Heath's western borders, the Valley is like a green finger passing through a range of scenery, from open countryside, woodland and flower-rich meadows to urban landscapes. The Surrey Heath section includes informal parks on reclaimed land at Blackwater Park and Watchmoor. Water-based recreation such as fishing and water skiing has developed on many of the lakes to the south of Frimley Bridges.

Over the last 200 years the River Blackwater suffered from neglect and encroaching urbanisation. In the past 60 years gravel extraction combined with urban expansion and the building of the A331 Blackwater Valley Relief Road has instigated a major change to the once rural landscape.
Since the 1980s, under the guidance of the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, major landscaping and environmental improvements have been carried out in the Valley, whilst much has been done to improve water quality and restore the riparian environment and habitats along the river. Planning policies restrict built development, but promote landscape enhancement and restoration, and seek to promote land use for outdoor recreation and nature conservation.

The River is now once again the centre piece of the Valley, the thread that links all the Valley and its facilities. Wildlife is returning, including the Otter which has been absent for over 40 years, fishing stocks are improving and the construction of the Blackwater Valley Path a long-distance riverside path has opened up much of the riverbank to enable everyone to enjoy its waterside landscape.

Explore the Blackwater Valley is a free leaflet giving details of the many attractions found in the Valley and is available from the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership.

As well as the Blackwater Valley Path, there are many circular walks that can be enjoyed taking in both the River Blackwater and its surrounding countryside. Two separate books are available giving full details of these walks as well as two further booklets on species of dragonflies and butterflies that can be found in the Blackwater Valley:

• Blackwater Valley Path (£3 including p+p)
• Blackwater Valley Circular Walks (£4 including p+p)
• Blackwater Valley Dragonflies (£3 including p+p)
• Blackwater Valley Butterflies (£3 including p+p)

All of these guides can be purchased from the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership Opens in a new window.

The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership comprises the local authorities that border the River Blackwater. They are: Surrey and Hampshire County Councils, the Borough Councils of Surrey Heath, Guildford, Rushmoor and Waverley, Hart District Council, Wokingham Unitary Authority, and the Town Councils of Blackwater & Hawley, Farnham, Sandhurst and Yateley.