Glade
← Back🌳 Broadleaved woodland

Bonsley Common

✦ Ancient woodland88 ha

📷 Marilyn Peddle · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome88 ha

Getting here

50.87827, -2.24580

Open directionsv
Google Maps↗Driving directionsApple Maps↗Driving directionsWaze↗Live driving navigationGoogle Transit↗Bus, rail or tramApple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 📍Open access throughout summer — no booking required

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
  • 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat

Best for

9 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Chaffinch, Robin, Woodpigeon +63 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Chaffinch, Robin, Woodpigeon +63 more · last seen 2025

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Forked Veilwort, Cypress-leaved Plait-moss, Dilated Scalewort +15 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Priority ponds — dragonflies, damselflies and aquatic invertebrates; Insects — Yellow Meadow Ant, Downland Villa, Field Grasshopper +40 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

5 signed routes nearby · 6 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Hod Hill circular walk, Hod HillWalking route1.6 km

Hod Hill is a steep climb to the ramparts of the hillfort, followed by a moderately level walk.

Named routeLength 1.6 kmDuration 00:45Round tripLocal walking route
Hod Hill butterfly walk, Hod HillWalking route1.6 km

Easiest approach involves one steep slope, alternative approach is gentler but longer. Site itself is level but uneven with little mud. Dogs welcome, but cattle are on the hill in summer and sheep in winter.

Named routeLength 1.6 kmDuration 00:45Round trip
Wessex RidgewayWalking route
Named routeRef WRRegional walking route
Stour Valley WayWalking route100 km
Named routeRef SVWLength 100 kmRegional walking route
Jubilee Trail (Dorset)Walking route
Named routeRegional walking route
🚴

Cycling

20 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 25Cycling route
Named routeRef 25National Cycle Network
North Dorset TrailwayCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
National Cycle Network 250Cycling route
Named routeRef 250National Cycle Network
North Dorset Cycle WayCycling route
Named routeRegional cycle route
Main RouteCycling route47 m
Named routeRef 25Length 47 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route1.4 km
Named routeRef 25Length 1.4 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
🚵

Mountain biking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby
Wessex Ridgeway TrailMountain bike route
Named routeListed length 207km
🐴

Horse riding

33 public paths nearby

Public paths

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

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Bonsley Common

📷 Marilyn Peddle · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Bonsley Common

1 / 15

Weather for this location

Next 14 days

Loading local forecast…

Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

✦RANSTONHistoric site4.8 km→✦Earthworks on site of manor houseHistoric site3.3 km→✦Hod HillHistoric site3.4 km→✦Hod Hill camp and Lydsbury RingsHistoric site3.4 km→✦Hambledon Hill campHistoric site4.2 km→✦Hambledon HillHistoric site4.3 km→

Own or manage this place?

Claim this listing to keep details accurate, add photos, and highlight what makes it special — free.

Claim this page

How was your visit?

How useful was the information on this page?

id: bb38443c-72d6-4400-870f-75e61669d3e9