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Ballands Castle

1 ha

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeHeritage
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome1 ha

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦52+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Swift and Mallard
  • Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

10 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Swift, Mallard, Woodpigeon +49 more · last seen 2024; Deciduous woodland — woodpeckers, warblers and woodland birds

Free

Wildlife

Mammals — Hazel Dormouse, Red Fox, Badger +11 more · last seen 2025; Deciduous woodland priority habitat

Free

Heritage

Historic site with public access

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral +79 more · last seen 2025; Lowland meadows — marbled white, meadow brown and pollinating insects

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Rough-stalked Feather-moss, Creeping Feather-moss, Forked Veilwort +145 more · last seen 2022

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

4 signed routes nearby · 10 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Monarch's WayWalking route990 km

approximate route of Charles II's escape

Named routeRef MWLength 990 kmRegional walking route
Macmillan WayWalking route290 km
Named routeRef MWALength 290 kmListed length 461Regional walking route
Leland TrailWalking route
Named routeRef LTRegional walking route
Stour Valley WayWalking route100 km
Named routeRef SVWLength 100 kmRegional walking route
🚴

Cycling

29 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Wiltshire CyclewayCycling route155 km
Named routeRef WCLength 155 kmRound tripRegional cycle route
Route 25Cycling route
Named routeRef 25National Cycle Network
National BywayCycling route
Named routeRef NBRegional cycle route
North Dorset Cycle WayCycling route
Named routeRegional cycle route
National Byway (proposed South West)Cycling route
Named routeRef NBRegional cycle route
Main RouteCycling route9.7 km
Named routeRef 25Length 9.7 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
🐴

Horse riding

2 public paths nearby

Public paths

No named routes yet. Public paths are shown on the map.

Wildlife to spot

Photos

South west flank of Ballands Castle

South west flank of Ballands Castle

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