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HAM COMMON, DORSET

25 ha

📷 Malc McDonald · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeDogs
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome25 ha

Getting here

50.71677, -2.02950

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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
  • 🅿️Parking nearby — easy to reach by car

Good to know

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

Best for

8 activities

Bird watching

Nature reserve

Free

Wildlife

Nature reserve

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — nature reserve

Free

Forest walks

Nature reserve

Free

Seasonal nature

Nature reserve — seasonal wildlife and habitats

Free

Hiking

Named hiking route nearby: Poole Harbour Trails 6

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

19 signed routes nearby · 1 public path nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Purbeck WayWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Castleman TrailwayWalking route26.5 km
Named routeRef CTLength 26.5 kmLocal walking route
The Hardy WayWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Shipstal trailWalking route

Shipstal trail, part of Arne RSPB reserve. Permissive route for people who have paid to access the reserve

Named route
Cordite WayWalking route
Named route
🚴

Cycling

97 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Wareham/PooleCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Cycleway Poole to WarehamCycling route
Named routeRef C3Local cycle route
Route 2Cycling route

National Cycle Route 2 Christchurch to Axminster

Named routeRef 2National Cycle Network
Poole Harbour Trails - CCycling route
Named routeRef pht-cLocal cycle route
C7Cycling route
Named routeRef C7Local cycle route
Route 25Cycling route
Named routeRef 25National Cycle Network
🚵

Mountain biking

2 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Poole Harbour Trails - ArneMountain bike route
Named routeRef pht-rLocal cycle route
Poole Harbour Trails - OwerMountain bike route
Named routeRef pht-oLocal cycle route

About this nature reserve

Ham Common in Dorset is a 25-hectare Local Nature Reserve located in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. This area is characterized by heathland and woodland habitats, which support various wildlife, including birds and insects, and provide trails for walking.

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Path at Ham Common, Poole

📷 Malc McDonald · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Path at Ham Common, Poole

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Weather for this location

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Upton Country ParkUrban park2.3 km→🏞️UPTONCountry park2.6 km→🌱Harbourside ParkUrban park4.2 km→🌱Harbourside ParkUrban park4.2 km→🌱Hamworthy ParkUrban park1.8 km→🌱Hamworthy ParkUrban park1.8 km→

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