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← Back🌳 Broadleaved woodland

Brenscombe Wood

✦ Ancient woodland18 ha

📷 David Martin · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome18 ha

Getting here

50.63929, -2.02712

Open directionsv
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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 — Blue Tit, Blackbird, Robin +68 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Blue Tit, Blackbird, Robin +68 more · last seen 2025

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Swan's-neck Thyme-moss, Elegant Bristle-moss, Crimson-tuber Thread-moss +54 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral +38 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral +38 more · last seen 2025

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

16 signed routes nearby · 3 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Purbeck WayWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
South West Coast Path (Section 51: Lulworth Cove to Worth Matravers)Walking route
Named routeRef SWCPNational walking route
South West Coast Path (Section 52: Worth Matravers to South Haven Point)Walking route
Named routeRef SWCPNational walking route
The Hardy WayWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
South West Coast Path (alternative route)Walking route
Named routeRef (SWCP)National walking route
🚴

Cycling

37 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 2Cycling route

National Cycle Route 2 Christchurch to Axminster

Named routeRef 2National Cycle Network
Castle RideCycling route
Named routeRef 3Local cycle route
Poole Harbour Trails - BCycling route
Named routeRef pht-bLocal cycle route
Swanage LCNCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Purbeck RideCycling route
Named routeRef 6Regional cycle route
Main RouteCycling route815 m
Named routeRef 2Length 815 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedloose
🚵

Mountain biking

5 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Rempstone RideMountain bike route
Named routeRef 2
Studland Bike RideMountain bike route
Named route
Priest's WayMountain bike route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Poole Harbour Trails - ArneMountain bike route
Named routeRef pht-rLocal cycle route
Poole Harbour Trails - OwerMountain bike route
Named routeRef pht-oLocal cycle route
🐴

Horse riding

17 public paths nearby

Public paths
Purbeck Waybridleway · 1.7 km
Public pathbridlewayLength 1.7 kmSurface dirtPath type: bridleway
Purbeck Waybridleway · 248 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 248 mSurface grassIncline 10%Path type: track
Forest Lanebridleway · 246 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 246 mSurface unpavedPath type: track
Purbeck Waybridleway · 102 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 102 mSurface dirtPath type: track
Forest Lanebridleway · 559 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 559 mIncline -15%Path type: bridleway

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Purbeck Way on Brenscombe Hill

📷 David Martin · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Purbeck Way on Brenscombe Hill

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Corfe Castle Model VillageUrban park2.2 km→✦Corfe Castle: a large enclosure castle, and 18th century Vineyard BridgeHistoric site2.3 km→✦Corfe CastleHistoric site2.2 km→⛪St Edward the Martyr's ChurchReligious grounds2.1 km→✦The Rings: a ringwork and bailey and a Civil War battery 400m south west of Corfe CastleHistoric site2.6 km→✦Kingston Down Romano-British farmHistoric site4.9 km→

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