Hodgemoor Riding Association

Hodgemoor Riding Association maintains trails for riders and cyclists in and around Hodgemoor Woods in the Chalfont St Giles and Seer Green area.

Hodgemoor Woods is a Site of Special Scientific Interest between Amersham, Chalfont St. Giles and Seer Green. For us it's an area of outstanding natural beauty, flora & fauna, funky great oaks, dedicated horse trails and lots of walking. The Forestry Commission (01296 625825) does what it can on limited budgets to maintain the woods, but depends on its users in the form of associations like ours to help with maintenance. Join or contribute now at www. hodgemoor.org. uk

Horse riders: The riding trails in Hodgemoor Wood are maintained by the Hodgemoor Riding Association for the Forestry Commission. Since 2000 the Hodgemoor Riding Association has raised close to £100, 000 for renovating the paths in the woods and for off-road access. We have also generated a new bridleway and four new permissive trails. . . 3000 metres of new track costing £36 per metre! The two pictures above are the same place, the Spring Link, before and after our work. Amazing. The objective has been to keep horses on their allocated paths and to free the wood from extensive areas of mud in winter. This makes the wood a nicer place for walkers and ramblers, and indeed, the Association was honoured by the British Horse Society's Access Award 2005 for the success of their work. As of 1 April 2008 it is compulsory to be a member of the Association to use the permissive trails in the wood. Membership includes sponsored rides, Le Trec, cross-country jumping, demonstrations and other events, access to Thames Valley Horse Watch information (on the web), your map of the woods and the 3-yearly e-newsletter.

The Association welcomes discussions with authorities and the Parish Councils of Chalfont St Giles, Seer Green (in which Hodgemoor Woods are situated) and Jordans with a view to establishing a bridlepath or permissive trail from Jordans to Seer Green to enable walkers, cyclists and riders to avoid the extremely dangerous Twitchells Lane at the North (CSG) end. This long-hoped-for improvement might take form under the aegis of the 2011 Localism Bill and the Neighbourhood Plans being discussed in 2014 by each village.

Walkers: The Hodgemoor Riding Association welcomes walkers and has several walker members. Those that have joined are supportive of the maintenance efforts and of co-operation between the different users of the woods. If you come by car, cyclists and riders would be most grateful if you park considerately. It is easy at Rawlings Corner and Widmer Corner to block the cyclist /horse entrance; please try not to – remember there is a big free car park off Bottrells Lane. We would welcome greater walker membership and contributions to this site (see Walkers & Cyclists ).

Cyclists are allowed on the two bridle paths, and are exceptionally permitted by the Forestry Commission on the permissive trails (those marked as horse trails) in Hodgemoor. Much of the fund-raising by the Hodgemoor Riding Association was based on the benefits to all users of the wood as an amenity. The Forestry Commission has recently confirmed that, although cyclists have no legal rights other than on the bridleways, they are welcome on the permissive trails in Hodgemoor as long as the trails are suitable for the purpose (i. e. they must be marked as riding trails with the horseshoe sign on a post). BMX cyclists can enjoy the cicuits and jumps in the Old Bike Pits at the North West end of the Old Bridlepath opposite Stockings Farm (where you may not build additional jumps) and a bigger better facility in the wood to the North of Bottrells Lane opposite. For an introduction to BMXing in the woods and coaching contact Buzz Bikes www. bikebuzz. co. uk /coaching. Cycling is not permitted elsewhere in the wood. By the way, when you're approaching horses from behind, please ting the bell or make a cheery "hello" before arriving to warn those spooky horses that you are there. Thanks so much.

Neither motorcycles nor any other powered vehicles are permitted in the wood. Police action has recently been taken against motocross bikes in Hodgemoor. If you see powered vehicles in the woods please 1) take photos 2) note registration numbers or other details 3) phone the police on 101 nd 4) phone Marcus Bicknell (Volunteer Forest Warden) on 07748 111444. Please save 101 to your mobile phone. If you see any motorised vehicle in the wood, call them!