Bucklebury Common lies on a gravel ridge between the Pang and Kennet Valleys. Much of the common was open heathland until the mid 20th century. Its particularly acid soils favour the growth of birches, oaks, Scots pine and heathers. More than seventy veteran trees on the common have been recorded by the Woodland Trust: several are over 200 years old, and there is an oak stub which is probably 600 years old. Perhaps the most famous tree on the common is ‘The Coronation Oak’, a pollarded sessile oak, which started life in Tudor times. In 1902, Edward VII’s coronation was celebrated with a picnic for 1200 people in its shade, giving it its name. There are also elegant beeches, one of which is believed to be
about 260 years old. Bucklebury Common veteran trees are valued features in the landscape of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Our walk starts from a car park between Chapel Row and Upper Bucklebury. We cross Bucklebury Common Nature Reserve in a south-westerly direction and then turn north for a visit to The Coronation Oak. We walk through Bucklebury Farm, Bushnells Green and King’s Copse, before turning south through Nine Elms to reach the avenue leading to Chapel Row; this magnificent wide avenue is lined by about twenty-five veteran trees. Finally our route crosses Lower Common, passing Wellingtonia which are huge, but only about 150 years old, to return to the starting point.