Holt Forest ✦ Ancient woodland 52 ha
Plan your visit
🦉 Wildlife🦅 Birds🍂 Seasonal
Public access Free entry Dogs welcome 52 ha
Places › England › South West › Dorset Getting here
50.85021, -1.94451
Open directionsv 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 457m away — 2 car parks within reach 🌤️ Visiting this summer
🌞 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 457m away — 2 car parks within reach £ Free to visit — no entry charge🐕 Dogs welcome🌿 Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat🦉 Wildlife
Very strong match
Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles
Free
🦅 Bird watching
Very strong match
Birds — Dartford Warbler, Woodpigeon, Blackbird +77 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Dartford Warbler, Woodpigeon, Blackbird +77 more · last seen 2025
Free
🍂 Seasonal nature
Strong match
Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Swan's-neck Thyme-moss, Silky Forklet-moss, Overleaf Pellia +59 more · last seen 2025
Free
🦋 Insect spotting
Strong match
Lowland meadows — marbled white, meadow brown and pollinating insects; Insects — White-legged Damselfly, Violet Ground Beetle, Common Red Soldier Beetle +9 more · last seen 2025
Free
Dogs allowed — public woodland
Free
Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic
Varies
Trails nearby Within roughly 5 km 6 signed routes nearby · 14 public paths nearby
Signed route nearby Public paths
Kingston Lacy walk at Holt Heath, Kingston Lacy Walking route 9.6 km ▾
The bridleways and footpaths can become rutted, with the eastern sector in part on elevated ground crossing the important heathland mire. Grazing of animals is part of the management of this rare habitat, so dogs should be kept under effective control. St
Named route Length 9.6 km Duration 03:00 Round trip Local walking route
Show on map Walk at Pamphill Green and Moor, Kingston Lacy Walking route 2.8 km ▾
Grass, gravel tracks and a short stretch on a path, undulating and rough in parts, with easy ascents and descents. The walk may be wet in winter.
Named route Length 2.8 km Duration 01:00 Round trip Local walking route
Show on map Walk at Pamphill and Cowgrove, Kingston Lacy Walking route 4.5 km ▾
Gravel and grass tracks with a short distance on a country lane. Undulating going down into the valley and back. Ground can become very wet in winter.
Named route Length 4.5 km Duration 01:30 Round trip Local walking route
Show on map Castleman Trailway Walking route 26.5 km ▾
Named route Ref CT Length 26.5 km Local walking route
Show on map Stour Valley Way Walking route 100 km ▾
Named route Ref SVW Length 100 km Regional walking route
Show on map 32 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
National Byway Cycling route ▾
Named route Ref NB Regional cycle route
Show on map Ferndown Schools Cycle&Walking Route Cycling route ▾
Named route Local cycle route
Show on map Leigh Road Wimborne Road Cycling route ▾
Named route Ref S5 Local cycle route
Show on map National Route 256 Cycling route ▾
Named route Ref 256 National Cycle Network
Show on map North Dorset Cycle Way Cycling route ▾
Named route Regional cycle route
Show on map Main Route Cycling route 70 m ▾
Named route Ref 256 Length 70 m National Cycle Network On-road Surface asphalt
Show on map 26 public paths nearby
Public paths
Paradise Road bridleway · 1.1 km ▾
Public path bridleway Length 1.1 km Path type: track
Show on map Paradise Road bridleway · 418 m ▾
Public path bridleway Length 418 m Path type: track
Show on map Queen's Copse Lane bridleway · 122 m ▾
Public path bridleway Length 122 m Path type: unclassified
Show on map ✦ Ancient woodland — continuously wooded since at least 1600 AD. A rare and irreplaceable habitat, rich in biodiversity and historical character.
Weather for this location Next 14 days Nearby places Useful places within 5 km
All Historic
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id: 67447996-3142-4009-836a-2d2dc1ad76cd
UK green spaces mapped from open public data — so anyone can find the woodland, trail, or nature reserve closest to them.
© 2026 Glade · Made with care for UK green spaces
Wildlife to spot
13,502 records · National Biodiversity Network
▾
Wildlife to spot 13,502 records · National Biodiversity Network 🐦 Birds 41 species
spring summer autumn
2025 ▾
Dartford Warbler · Hobby · Woodpigeon · Goldcrest · Carrion Crow +36
Dartford Warbler Curruca undata Hobby Falco subbuteo Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Goldcrest Regulus regulus Carrion Crow Corvus corone Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Robin Erithacus rubecula Starling Sturnus vulgaris Great Tit Parus major Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Stonechat Saxicola rubicola Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Linnet Linaria cannabina Curlew Numenius arquata Stock Dove Columba oenas Skylark Alauda arvensis Blackbird Turdus merula Swallow Hirundo rustica Tawny Owl Strix aluco Woodlark Lullula arborea Coal Tit Periparus ater Nuthatch Sitta europaea Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Jackdaw Coloeus monedula Jay Garrulus glandarius Greylag Goose Anser anser Barn Owl Tyto alba Dunnock Prunella modularis Swift Apus apus House Sparrow Passer domesticus Woodcock Scolopax rusticola Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Garden Warbler Sylvia borin Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Magpie Pica pica Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 🦌 Mammals 2 species
spring summer autumn
2025 ▾
Hazel Dormouse · Brown Hare
Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius Brown Hare Lepus europaeus Smooth Snake
Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca Violet Ground Beetle · Common Red Soldier Beetle
Violet Ground Beetle Carabus violaceus Common Red Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva Marsh Clubmoss · Overleaf Pellia · Remote Sedge · Himalayan Balsam · Common Bird's-foot-trefoil +100
Marsh Clubmoss Lycopodiella inundata Overleaf Pellia Pellia epiphylla Remote Sedge Carex remota Himalayan Balsam Impatiens glandulifera Common Bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium Cow Parsley Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Wildlife to spot 13,502 records · National Biodiversity Network 🐦 Birds 41 species
spring summer autumn
2025 ▾
Dartford Warbler · Hobby · Woodpigeon · Goldcrest · Carrion Crow +36
Dartford Warbler Curruca undata Hobby Falco subbuteo Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Goldcrest Regulus regulus Carrion Crow Corvus corone Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Robin Erithacus rubecula Starling Sturnus vulgaris Great Tit Parus major Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Stonechat Saxicola rubicola Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Linnet Linaria cannabina Curlew Numenius arquata Stock Dove Columba oenas Skylark Alauda arvensis Blackbird Turdus merula Swallow Hirundo rustica Tawny Owl Strix aluco Woodlark Lullula arborea Coal Tit Periparus ater Nuthatch Sitta europaea Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Jackdaw Coloeus monedula Jay Garrulus glandarius Greylag Goose Anser anser Barn Owl Tyto alba Dunnock Prunella modularis Swift Apus apus House Sparrow Passer domesticus Woodcock Scolopax rusticola Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Garden Warbler Sylvia borin Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Magpie Pica pica Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 🦌 Mammals 2 species
spring summer autumn
2025 ▾
Hazel Dormouse · Brown Hare
Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius Brown Hare Lepus europaeus Smooth Snake
Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca Violet Ground Beetle · Common Red Soldier Beetle
Violet Ground Beetle Carabus violaceus Common Red Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva Marsh Clubmoss · Overleaf Pellia · Remote Sedge · Himalayan Balsam · Common Bird's-foot-trefoil +100
Marsh Clubmoss Lycopodiella inundata Overleaf Pellia Pellia epiphylla Remote Sedge Carex remota Himalayan Balsam Impatiens glandulifera Common Bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium Cow Parsley Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Anthriscus sylvestris
Anthriscus sylvestris
Nipplewort Lapsana communis
Nipplewort Lapsana communis
Frogbit Hydrocharis morsus-ranae
Frogbit Hydrocharis morsus-ranae
False-brome Brachypodium sylvaticum
False-brome Brachypodium sylvaticum
Marsh-bedstraw Galium palustre
Marsh-bedstraw Galium palustre
Downy Birch Betula pubescens
Downy Birch Betula pubescens
Bent Grass Agrostis
Bent Grass Agrostis
Hart's-Tongue Asplenium scolopendrium
Hart's-Tongue Asplenium scolopendrium
Common Chickweed Stellaria media
Common Chickweed Stellaria media
Cock's-foot Dactylis glomerata
Cock's-foot Dactylis glomerata
Dandelion Taraxacum
Dandelion Taraxacum
Yarrow Achillea millefolium
Yarrow Achillea millefolium
Hairy Bitter-cress Cardamine hirsuta
Hairy Bitter-cress Cardamine hirsuta
Field Maple Acer campestre
Field Maple Acer campestre
Selfheal Prunella vulgaris
Selfheal Prunella vulgaris
Water-pepper Persicaria hydropiper
Water-pepper Persicaria hydropiper
Red Fescue Festuca rubra
Red Fescue Festuca rubra
Fumitory Fumaria
Fumitory Fumaria
Herb-Robert Geranium robertianum
Herb-Robert Geranium robertianum
Butcher's-broom Ruscus aculeatus
Butcher's-broom Ruscus aculeatus
Bramble Rubus fruticosus
Bramble Rubus fruticosus
Hazel Corylus avellana
Hazel Corylus avellana
Helleborine Epipactis
Helleborine Epipactis
Polygonum aviculare Polygonum aviculare
Polygonum aviculare Polygonum aviculare
Hedge Bedstraw Galium album
Hedge Bedstraw Galium album
Petty Spurge Euphorbia peplus
Petty Spurge Euphorbia peplus
White Clover Trifolium repens
White Clover Trifolium repens
Black Bryony Tamus communis
Black Bryony Tamus communis
Common Sorrel Rumex acetosa subsp. acetosa
Common Sorrel Rumex acetosa subsp. acetosa
Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius
Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius
Ivy Hedera helix
Ivy Hedera helix
Common Mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum
Common Mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum
Pedunculate Oak Quercus robur
Pedunculate Oak Quercus robur
Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna
Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna
Pendulous Sedge Carex pendula
Pendulous Sedge Carex pendula
Sweet Vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum
Sweet Vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum
Lesser Trefoil Trifolium dubium
Lesser Trefoil Trifolium dubium
Field Horsetail Equisetum arvense
Field Horsetail Equisetum arvense
Wood Avens Geum urbanum
Wood Avens Geum urbanum
Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare
Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare
Alder Alnus glutinosa
Alder Alnus glutinosa
Scented Mayweed Matricaria chamomilla
Scented Mayweed Matricaria chamomilla
Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus
Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus
Tufted Hair-grass Deschampsia cespitosa
Tufted Hair-grass Deschampsia cespitosa
Common Ragwort Jacobaea vulgaris
Common Ragwort Jacobaea vulgaris
Daisy Bellis perennis
Daisy Bellis perennis
Ash Fraxinus excelsior
Ash Fraxinus excelsior
Cleavers Galium aparine
Cleavers Galium aparine
Wood Dock Rumex sanguineus
Wood Dock Rumex sanguineus
Rough Meadow-grass Poa trivialis
Rough Meadow-grass Poa trivialis
Wood-sedge Carex sylvatica
Wood-sedge Carex sylvatica
Butterfly-bush Buddleja davidii
Butterfly-bush Buddleja davidii
Scarlet Pimpernel Lysimachia arvensis
Scarlet Pimpernel Lysimachia arvensis
Violet Viola
Violet Viola
Fennel Foeniculum vulgare
Fennel Foeniculum vulgare
Common Nettle Urtica dioica
Common Nettle Urtica dioica
Enchanter's-nightshade Circaea lutetiana
Enchanter's-nightshade Circaea lutetiana
Hemlock Water-dropwort Oenanthe crocata
Hemlock Water-dropwort Oenanthe crocata
Chenopodium album Chenopodium album
Chenopodium album Chenopodium album
Ground-ivy Glechoma hederacea
Ground-ivy Glechoma hederacea
Prickly Sow-thistle Sonchus asper
Prickly Sow-thistle Sonchus asper
Holly Ilex aquifolium
Holly Ilex aquifolium
Narrow Buckler-fern Dryopteris carthusiana
Narrow Buckler-fern Dryopteris carthusiana
Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris
Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris
Perennial Rye-grass Lolium perenne
Perennial Rye-grass Lolium perenne
Cat's-ear Hypochaeris radicata
Cat's-ear Hypochaeris radicata
Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens
Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens
Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria
Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria
Opium Poppy Papaver somniferum
Opium Poppy Papaver somniferum
Galeopsis Galeopsis
Galeopsis Galeopsis
Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata
Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata
Greater Plantain Plantago major
Greater Plantain Plantago major
Gypsywort Lycopus europaeus
Gypsywort Lycopus europaeus
Ground-elder Aegopodium podagraria
Ground-elder Aegopodium podagraria
Hair-pointed Feather-moss Cirriphyllum piliferum
Hair-pointed Feather-moss Cirriphyllum piliferum
Pink-fruited Thread-moss Pohlia melanodon
Pink-fruited Thread-moss Pohlia melanodon
Silky Wall Feather-moss Homalothecium sericeum
Silky Wall Feather-moss Homalothecium sericeum
Variable-leaved Crestwort Lophocolea heterophylla
Variable-leaved Crestwort Lophocolea heterophylla
Wood Bristle-moss Lewinskya affinis
Wood Bristle-moss Lewinskya affinis
Silky Forklet-moss Dicranella heteromalla
Silky Forklet-moss Dicranella heteromalla
Notched Pouchwort Calypogeia arguta
Notched Pouchwort Calypogeia arguta
Twist-tip Feather-moss Oxyrrhynchium schleicheri
Twist-tip Feather-moss Oxyrrhynchium schleicheri
Lyell's Bristle-moss Pulvigera lyellii
Lyell's Bristle-moss Pulvigera lyellii
Frizzled Pincushion Plenogemma phyllantha
Frizzled Pincushion Plenogemma phyllantha
Slender Mouse-tail Moss Isothecium myosuroides
Slender Mouse-tail Moss Isothecium myosuroides
Neat Feather-moss Pseudoscleropodium purum
Neat Feather-moss Pseudoscleropodium purum
St Winifrid's Other Moss Chiloscyphus pallescens
St Winifrid's Other Moss Chiloscyphus pallescens
Ulota crispula Ulota crispula
Ulota crispula Ulota crispula
Lesser Featherwort Plagiochila porelloides var. porelloides
Lesser Featherwort Plagiochila porelloides var. porelloides
Zygodon conoideus var. conoideus Zygodon conoideus var. conoideus
Zygodon conoideus var. conoideus Zygodon conoideus var. conoideus
Bank Haircap Polytrichum formosum
Bank Haircap Polytrichum formosum
Blueish Veilwort Metzgeria violacea
Blueish Veilwort Metzgeria violacea
Endive Pellia Pellia endiviifolia
Endive Pellia Pellia endiviifolia
Dotted Thyme-moss Rhizomnium punctatum
Dotted Thyme-moss Rhizomnium punctatum
Common Feather-moss Kindbergia praelonga
Common Feather-moss Kindbergia praelonga
Springy Turf-moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus
Springy Turf-moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus
Dilated Scalewort Frullania dilatata
Dilated Scalewort Frullania dilatata
Woodsy Silk-moss Plagiothecium nemorale
Woodsy Silk-moss Plagiothecium nemorale
Lateral Cryphaea Cryphaea heteromalla
Lateral Cryphaea Cryphaea heteromalla Events & activities nearby Switch provider to compare local events, tours and bookable activities.
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