Castle mound (or Castle Hill)
2 ha
Plan your visit
🦅Birds🦉Wildlife✦Heritage
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome2 ha
Getting here
50.91316, -1.91639
Open directionsv
Visiting this summer
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
- 🐦92+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Swallow and Chaffinch
- ✦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
🌤️ Visiting this summer
- 🐦92+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Swallow and Chaffinch
- ✦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
- £Free to visit — no entry charge
- 🐕Dogs welcome
🦅Bird watching
Very strong match
Birds — Swallow, Chaffinch, Woodpigeon +89 more · last seen 2025; Deciduous woodland — woodpeckers, warblers and woodland birds
Free
🦉Wildlife
Very strong match
Mammals — Brown Hare, Rabbit, Roe Deer +13 more · last seen 2025; Deciduous woodland priority habitat
Free
Historic site with public access
Free
🦋Insect spotting
Strong match
Insects — Black Oil-beetle, Glow-worm, 7-spot Ladybird +72 more · last seen 2025; Acid grassland — heathland butterflies and rare invertebrates
Free
Dogs allowed with public access
Free
Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic
Varies
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km2 signed routes nearby · 3 public paths nearby
Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Jubilee Trail (Dorset)Walking route▾
Named routeRegional walking route
The Hardy WayWalking route▾
Named routeRegional walking route
Castle Hill Lanepublic footpath · 30 m▾
Public pathpublic footpathLength 30 mPath type: unclassified
2 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
National BywayCycling route▾
Named routeRef NBRegional cycle route
North Dorset Cycle WayCycling route▾
Named routeRegional cycle route
2 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Fordingbridge Off Road Cycle TrailMountain bike route▾
The Crane LoopMountain bike route▾
Named routeRef The Crane LoopLocal cycle route
2 public paths nearby
Public paths
Mill Lanebyway open to all traffic · 1.1 km▾
Public pathbyway open to all trafficLength 1.1 kmPath type: track
Weather for this location
Next 14 daysNearby places
Useful places within 5 km
Wildlife to spot
8,956 records · National Biodiversity Network
Wildlife to spot
8,956 records · National Biodiversity Network🐦Birds41 species
springsummerautumn
2025▾
Starling · Woodpigeon · Spotted Flycatcher · Swallow · Blue Tit +36
- StarlingSturnus vulgaris
- WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
- Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata
- SwallowHirundo rustica
- Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
- BlackcapSylvia atricapilla
- ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
- GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
- RobinErithacus rubecula
- DunnockPrunella modularis
- House SparrowPasser domesticus
- House MartinDelichon urbicum
- HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustes
- Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus
- NuthatchSitta europaea
- Great TitParus major
- BlackbirdTurdus merula
- Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto
- Coal TitPeriparus ater
- GreenfinchChloris chloris
- Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
- WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
- Marsh TitPoecile palustris
- MerlinFalco columbarius
- RookCorvus frugilegus
- JackdawColoeus monedula
- Herring GullLarus argentatus
- Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellis
- Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochruros
- Stock DoveColumba oenas
- SwiftApus apus
- Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenus
- Grey PartridgePerdix perdix
- LapwingVanellus vanellus
- Barn OwlTyto alba
- ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita
- Green WoodpeckerPicus viridis
- MagpiePica pica
- Carrion CrowCorvus corone
- LinnetLinaria cannabina
- PheasantPhasianus colchicus
Pygmy Shrew · Muntjac · Brown Hare · Red Fox · Badger +1
- Pygmy ShrewSorex minutus
- MuntjacMuntiacus reevesi
- Brown HareLepus europaeus
- Red FoxVulpes vulpes
- BadgerMeles meles
- RabbitOryctolagus cuniculus
Slow-worm
Harlequin Ladybird · 7-spot Ladybird
- Harlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridis
- 7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
Starved Wood-sedge · Meadow Fescue · Soft-leaved Sedge · Lateral Cryphaea · Thyme-leaved Speedwell +95
- Starved Wood-sedgeCarex depauperata
- Meadow FescueSchedonorus pratensis
- Soft-leaved SedgeCarex montana
- Lateral CryphaeaCryphaea heteromalla
- Thyme-leaved SpeedwellVeronica serpyllifolia
- Corky-fruited Water-dropwortOenanthe pimpinelloides
- Wild Service-tree
Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Wildlife to spot
8,956 records · National Biodiversity Network🐦Birds41 species
springsummerautumn
2025▾
Starling · Woodpigeon · Spotted Flycatcher · Swallow · Blue Tit +36
- StarlingSturnus vulgaris
- WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
- Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata
- SwallowHirundo rustica
- Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
- BlackcapSylvia atricapilla
- ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
- GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
- RobinErithacus rubecula
- DunnockPrunella modularis
- House SparrowPasser domesticus
- House MartinDelichon urbicum
- HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustes
- Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus
- NuthatchSitta europaea
- Great TitParus major
- BlackbirdTurdus merula
- Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto
- Coal TitPeriparus ater
- GreenfinchChloris chloris
- Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
- WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
- Marsh TitPoecile palustris
- MerlinFalco columbarius
- RookCorvus frugilegus
- JackdawColoeus monedula
- Herring GullLarus argentatus
- Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellis
- Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochruros
- Stock DoveColumba oenas
- SwiftApus apus
- Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenus
- Grey PartridgePerdix perdix
- LapwingVanellus vanellus
- Barn OwlTyto alba
- ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita
- Green WoodpeckerPicus viridis
- MagpiePica pica
- Carrion CrowCorvus corone
- LinnetLinaria cannabina
- PheasantPhasianus colchicus
Pygmy Shrew · Muntjac · Brown Hare · Red Fox · Badger +1
- Pygmy ShrewSorex minutus
- MuntjacMuntiacus reevesi
- Brown HareLepus europaeus
- Red FoxVulpes vulpes
- BadgerMeles meles
- RabbitOryctolagus cuniculus
Slow-worm
Harlequin Ladybird · 7-spot Ladybird
- Harlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridis
- 7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
Starved Wood-sedge · Meadow Fescue · Soft-leaved Sedge · Lateral Cryphaea · Thyme-leaved Speedwell +95
- Starved Wood-sedgeCarex depauperata
- Meadow FescueSchedonorus pratensis
- Soft-leaved SedgeCarex montana
- Lateral CryphaeaCryphaea heteromalla
- Thyme-leaved SpeedwellVeronica serpyllifolia
- Corky-fruited Water-dropwortOenanthe pimpinelloides
- Wild Service-tree
Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Sorbus torminalis
Sorbus torminalis
Cherry PlumPrunus cerasiferaCherry PlumPrunus cerasiferaTall FescueSchedonorus arundinaceusTall FescueSchedonorus arundinaceusYorkshire-fogHolcus lanatusYorkshire-fogHolcus lanatusWood AnemoneAnemone nemorosaWood AnemoneAnemone nemorosaWhite PoplarPopulus albaWhite PoplarPopulus albaGlaucous SedgeCarex flaccaGlaucous SedgeCarex flaccaHairy-bromeBromopsis ramosaHairy-bromeBromopsis ramosaGorseUlex europaeusGorseUlex europaeusField Wood-rushLuzula campestrisField Wood-rushLuzula campestrisSheep's SorrelRumex acetosellaSheep's SorrelRumex acetosellaPerennial Rye-grassLolium perennePerennial Rye-grassLolium perenneCreeping ButtercupRanunculus repensCreeping ButtercupRanunculus repensMarsh-bedstrawGalium palustreMarsh-bedstrawGalium palustreDowny OatAvenula pubescensDowny OatAvenula pubescensYewTaxus baccataYewTaxus baccataBrambleRubus fruticosusBrambleRubus fruticosusRed CampionSilene dioicaRed CampionSilene dioicaWater AvensGeum rivaleWater AvensGeum rivaleDog's MercuryMercurialis perennisDog's MercuryMercurialis perennisAshFraxinus excelsiorAshFraxinus excelsiorTufted Hair-grassDeschampsia cespitosaTufted Hair-grassDeschampsia cespitosaFalse-bromeBrachypodium sylvaticumFalse-bromeBrachypodium sylvaticumCreeping Soft-grassHolcus mollisCreeping Soft-grassHolcus mollisBrackenPteridium aquilinumBrackenPteridium aquilinumBroad Buckler-fernDryopteris dilatataBroad Buckler-fernDryopteris dilatataBugleAjuga reptansBugleAjuga reptansBush VetchVicia sepiumBush VetchVicia sepiumWood DockRumex sanguineusWood DockRumex sanguineusBluebellHyacinthoides non-scriptaBluebellHyacinthoides non-scriptaDandelionTaraxacumDandelionTaraxacumSoft Shield-fernPolystichum setiferumSoft Shield-fernPolystichum setiferumField MapleAcer campestreField MapleAcer campestreGround-ivyGlechoma hederaceaGround-ivyGlechoma hederaceaMistletoeViscum albumMistletoeViscum albumSpindleEuonymus europaeusSpindleEuonymus europaeusPedunculate OakQuercus roburPedunculate OakQuercus roburEnchanter's-nightshadeCircaea lutetianaEnchanter's-nightshadeCircaea lutetianaGreat Wood-rushLuzula sylvaticaGreat Wood-rushLuzula sylvaticaCommon FigwortScrophularia nodosaCommon FigwortScrophularia nodosaDowny BirchBetula pubescensDowny BirchBetula pubescensFloating Sweet-grassGlyceria fluitansFloating Sweet-grassGlyceria fluitansSmall-leaved LimeTilia cordataSmall-leaved LimeTilia cordataHerb-RobertGeranium robertianumHerb-RobertGeranium robertianumCommon NettleUrtica dioicaCommon NettleUrtica dioicaPendulous SedgeCarex pendulaPendulous SedgeCarex pendulaHawthornCrataegus monogynaHawthornCrataegus monogynaCommon ValerianValeriana officinalisCommon ValerianValeriana officinalisIntermediate PolypodyPolypodium interjectumIntermediate PolypodyPolypodium interjectumHazelCorylus avellanaHazelCorylus avellanaWild PrivetLigustrum vulgareWild PrivetLigustrum vulgareHollyIlex aquifoliumHollyIlex aquifoliumPrimrosePrimula vulgarisPrimrosePrimula vulgarisButcher's-broomRuscus aculeatusButcher's-broomRuscus aculeatusWood SpeedwellVeronica montanaWood SpeedwellVeronica montanaFoxgloveDigitalis purpureaFoxgloveDigitalis purpureaCleaversGalium aparineCleaversGalium aparineScaly Male-fernDryopteris affinisScaly Male-fernDryopteris affinisRibwort PlantainPlantago lanceolataRibwort PlantainPlantago lanceolataWild MarjoramOriganum vulgareWild MarjoramOriganum vulgareWoodruffGalium odoratumWoodruffGalium odoratumWild StrawberryFragaria vescaWild StrawberryFragaria vescaWayfaring-treeViburnum lantanaWayfaring-treeViburnum lantanaCommon SorrelRumex acetosaCommon SorrelRumex acetosaCommon Dog-violetViola rivinianaCommon Dog-violetViola rivinianaAtlantic IvyHedera hibernicaAtlantic IvyHedera hibernicaMeadow VetchlingLathyrus pratensisMeadow VetchlingLathyrus pratensisHairy Wood-rushLuzula pilosaHairy Wood-rushLuzula pilosaCyrtomium fortuneiCyrtomium fortuneiCyrtomium fortuneiCyrtomium fortuneiCreeping CinquefoilPotentilla reptansCreeping CinquefoilPotentilla reptansBrooklimeVeronica beccabungaBrooklimeVeronica beccabungaYarrowAchillea millefoliumYarrowAchillea millefoliumHogweedHeracleum sphondyliumHogweedHeracleum sphondyliumDaisyBellis perennisDaisyBellis perennisSilver BirchBetula pendulaSilver BirchBetula pendulaHoneysuckleLonicera periclymenumHoneysuckleLonicera periclymenumBittersweetSolanum dulcamaraBittersweetSolanum dulcamaraBeechFagus sylvaticaBeechFagus sylvaticaLesser CelandineFicaria vernaLesser CelandineFicaria vernaAlder BuckthornFrangula alnusAlder BuckthornFrangula alnusSycamoreAcer pseudoplatanusSycamoreAcer pseudoplatanusWood-sedgeCarex sylvaticaWood-sedgeCarex sylvaticaRowanSorbus aucupariaRowanSorbus aucupariaAnnual Meadow-grassPoa annuaAnnual Meadow-grassPoa annuaMale-fernDryopteris filix-masMale-fernDryopteris filix-masParsley PiertAphanes arvensisParsley PiertAphanes arvensisHard-fernBlechnum spicantHard-fernBlechnum spicantHart's-TongueAsplenium scolopendriumHart's-TongueAsplenium scolopendriumEarly Dog-violetViola reichenbachianaEarly Dog-violetViola reichenbachianaRamsonsAllium ursinumRamsonsAllium ursinumWood AvensGeum urbanumWood AvensGeum urbanumRemote SedgeCarex remotaRemote SedgeCarex remotaLords-and-LadiesArum maculatumLords-and-LadiesArum maculatumTormentilPotentilla erectaTormentilPotentilla erectaEvents & activities nearby
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