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← Back🌳 Broadleaved woodland

Hurst Heath

25 ha

📷 Nigel Mykura · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeDogs
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome25 ha

Getting here

50.70804, -2.30676

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦104+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Woodpigeon and Chaffinch
  • 🐕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

Best for

8 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Chaffinch, Robin +101 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Woodpigeon, Chaffinch, Robin +101 more · last seen 2026

Free

Wildlife

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

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Cycling

Named cycling route nearby: Route 2

Varies

Insect spotting

Insects — Harlequin Ladybird, Common Red Soldier Beetle, Marmalade Hoverfly +9 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Harlequin Ladybird, Common Red Soldier Beetle, Marmalade Hoverfly +9 more · last seen 2025

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

4 signed routes nearby · 4 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Purbeck WayWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Jubilee Trail (Dorset)Walking route
Named routeRegional walking route
The Hardy WayWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Frome Valley WayWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Woodsford Lanepublic footpath · 151 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 151 mPath type: unclassified
🚴

Cycling

15 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 2Cycling route

National Cycle Route 2 Christchurch to Axminster

Named routeRef 2National Cycle Network
Lawrence RideCycling route
Named routeRef 4Local cycle route
Purbeck RideCycling route
Named routeRef 6Regional cycle route
Main RouteCycling route95 m
Named routeRef 2Length 95 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route707 m
Named routeRef 2Length 707 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route70 m
Named routeRef 2Length 70 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Hurst Heath crossroads

📷 Nigel Mykura · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Hurst Heath crossroads

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Knighton Reserve SANGUrban park3.3 km→✦ATHELHAMPTONHistoric site4.6 km→🌱Orchard MeadowUrban park4.6 km→⛪St Aldhelm's ChurchReligious grounds1.9 km→⛪St Nicholas's ChurchReligious grounds2.2 km→✦Two bowl barrows 750m east of Clyffe HouseHistoric site2.4 km→

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