2023 December Calendar

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