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Group of three round barrows on Ballard Down

0 ha

📷 Phil Champion · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsHeritage
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome0 ha

Getting here

50.63143, -1.94512

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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
  • ✦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

7 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Herring Gull, Robin, Carrion Crow +86 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Herring Gull, Robin, Carrion Crow +86 more · last seen 2026

Free

Heritage

Historic site with public access

Free

Insect spotting

Chalk and limestone grassland — chalkhill blue, adonis blue and rare moths; Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Long-winged Cone-head, Black Oil-beetle +26 more · last seen 2026

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Bird's-claw Beard-moss, Capillary Thread-moss, Common Feather-moss +47 more · last seen 2024; Plants — Bird's-claw Beard-moss, Capillary Thread-moss, Common Feather-moss +47 more · last seen 2024

Free

Hiking

Named hiking route nearby: South West Coast Path (Section 52: Worth Matravers to South Haven Point)

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

11 signed routes nearby · 10 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Purbeck WayWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
South West Coast Path (Section 52: Worth Matravers to South Haven Point)Walking route
Named routeRef SWCPNational walking route
South West Coast Path (alternative route)Walking route
Named routeRef (SWCP)National walking route
Priest's WayWalking route
Named route
Poole Harbour Trails 2Walking route
Named routeRef 2Local walking route
🚴

Cycling

18 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 2Cycling route

National Cycle Route 2 Christchurch to Axminster

Named routeRef 2National Cycle Network
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
Main RouteCycling route260 m
Named routeRef 2Length 260 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedloose
🚵

Mountain biking

4 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 - OwerMountain bike route
Named routeRef pht-oLocal cycle route
🐴

Horse riding

7 public paths nearby

Public paths
Purbeck Waybridleway · 529 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 529 mSurface grassPath type: bridleway
Purbeck Waybridleway · 416 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 416 mSurface grassPath type: bridleway

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Purbeck Way waymark disc on Ballard Down

📷 Phil Champion · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Purbeck Way waymark disc on Ballard Down

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Sandpit FieldUrban park2.3 km→🌱Sandpit FieldUrban park2.3 km→🦉PEVERIL POINT AND THE DOWNSNature reserve2.9 km→✦Durlston Castle Historic LandscapeHistoric site3.8 km→🏞️DURLSTONCountry park4.2 km→🌱Days ParkUrban park1.8 km→

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