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Holt Heath Holt Heath is one of Dorset’s largest remaining areas of lowland heathland, managed by the National Trust. It is four miles north of Wimborne Minsters. Historically the heath was used to graze livestock owned by local people. The grazing maintained the habitat. When it ceased in around 1950 the habitat began to deteriorate, however it is now managed to prevent further deterioration. Cattle have recently been reintroduced to help manage the land. Heaths have provided a large amount… Read More »December Calendar Day 18: Inspiration & Reveal

Brownsea Island I know this isn’t the best picture of a red squirrel, but I wanted to use one I took myself rather than a stock photo. Brownsea Island is the largest of a collection of islands in Poole Harbour. It is owned by the National Trust, with a large section managed by the Dorset Wildlife Trust. It is known as the location where the Scout movement was formed, as well as one of the few places in England where… Read More »December Calendar Day 17 (12 Day: 10): Inspiration & Reveal

Wareham Forest Wareham Forest is managed by Forestry England and is managed for timber, conservation and recreation. The 1500 Hectare area is situated between Dorchester and Poole and has a variety of landscapes including heathland and plantations of conifers. The forest is one of the only places in the UK where all six species of British reptile live. It also contains 9 Scheduled Ancient Monuments, and a third of the area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, known for… Read More »December Calendar Day 16 (12 Day: 9): Inspiration & Reveal

Lytchett Bay Lytchett Bay an area of Poole Harbour managed by Dorset Wildlife Trust in partnership with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. The area is important internationally as one of the few places where the natural change from heathland to marshland can be found. There are pools, fields and reedbeds with a large area of wet tidal mud and grassland. The bay and its marshland is important for wading birds and wildfowl as well as rare reptiles such as sand lizards.… Read More »December Calendar Day 15: Inspiration & Reveal

Ramsdown Ramsdown Plantation is an area of heathland and coniferous forest next to Bournemouth International Airport which is to the north of Christchurch. There is a viewpoint on top of Ramsdown Hill from which you can see the surrounding countryside, planes coming into land at the nearby airport, and if the visibility is good, across to the Isle of Wight. There is a circular walk around Ramsdown Plantation which takes in a variety of landscapes including a river, wet &… Read More »December Calendar Day 14 (12 Day: 8): Inspiration & Reveal

Fontmell Fontmell is part of a larger area called Fontmell & Melbury Down. Located south of Shaftesbury, Fontmell is an ancient chalk downland with views across the Blackmore Vale. Much of Britain’s chalk grassland has been lost, so the area is an important haven for rare species of orchid, many other rare flowers and wildlife. Fontmell Down is a protected nature reserve with an area of 63 hectares. The entire area is open access and there are paths leading around… Read More »December Calendar Day 13 (12 Day: 7): Inspiration & Reveal

White Nothe White Nothe, which means “White Nose” is part of the Jurassic Coast just east of Weymouth. Along with much of the coast in this area, the cliffs and beaches are well known for finding fossils. Part of the area is owned by the National Trust. There is a zigzag path up the cliff, believed to be a smuggler’s path. It is at the top of this path that there is a protruding rock in the shape of a… Read More »December Calendar Day 12: Inspiration & Reveal

Mudeford Mudeford is a village on the Eastern side of Dorset, on the edge of Christchurch Harbour. A notable feature is Mudeford Spit, which, despite its name, comes under the authority of Bournemouth as it links to another landmark, Hengistbury Head. Mudeford Spit and Mudeford Quay together make up the entrance to Christchurch Harbour, leaving its water to rise and fall through a narrow gap called The Run. Mudeford Spit can be reached from Mudeford via ferry, or you have… Read More »December Calendar Day 11: Inspiration & Reveal

Pamphill Pamphill is a small village just outside of Wimborne Minster and near to the Kingston Lacy estate from day 4. It’s a small village, containing a small first school, a church, a pub and a farm shop (located in the buildings of an old dairy). Near the village green is an area of woodland called Abbot Street Copse, which is part of the Kingston Lacy estate. During the spring the whole area is full of bluebells. The area has… Read More »December Calendar Day 10 (12 Day: 6): Inspiration & Reveal

Purbeck Heaths The Purbeck Heaths nature reserve was declared in 2020, bringing three smaller areas of national nature reserve together with areas of the surrounding landscape. The nature reserve spans land across the Purbeck Island area, including Corfe Castle, Arne and Tyneham. The landscape is a mixture of habitats including low lying wet and dry heathland, acid grasslands, coastal sand dunes and saltmarsh. The land is owned by seven different organisations, coming together to conserve important habitats, wildlife and plants.… Read More »December Calendar Day 9 (12 Day: 5): Inspiration & Reveal