Blowing away the cobwebs at Frensham

As soon as you leave the car and head down a pathway lined by the tallest of trees, you know Frensham Little Pond will be a bit special. It says a lot about a place if you instantly feel relaxed the moment you arrive. You can almost sense the tension slipping away from your shoulders while you take a deep intake of breath. Arriving at the waters edge to admire the view, you can’t help but smile at this 13th century gem and the stunning heathland that surrounds it.

Around the pond, the heathland is a colourful mosaic of bright yellow gorse and purple heathers set among a backdrop of gnarly oaks and pines. The smells are divine especially after the rain. It’s not difficult to see why Frensham Little Pond is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Protection Area and a Special Area of Conservation. Managed by the National Trust, the tranquil pond, views and heathland make it an ideal place for exploration.

Families and dog owners alike flock here as it’s mainly flat with the sandy beaches a big draw in the summertime. There’s also an ancient dam with the original stonework and a bird hide with a telescope. For something more challenging there’s the option to hike up to Snowball Ridge to admire the views or venture round the council-owned Great Pond.

POD has had many an adventure here, there’s so much to explore. Our last visit brought with it some very slow walking on POD’s part, mainly as she was distracted by muddy puddles and stick collecting while on the hunt for suitable trees to climb. I’m not sure who started it but we ended up chasing each other, playing what didn’t seem that dissimilar to a paintball game but with soggy fir cones!

The walk around the Little Pond takes around 45 minutes although you need to add at least another half an hour if you’re with a five year old. One thing’s for sure, this tranquil beauty spot is a must for blowing away a few cobwebs especially if what follows is the most wonderful Sunday roast.