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Ilsington Wood

✦ Ancient woodland70 ha

📷 Mike Faherty · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome70 ha

Getting here

50.73382, -2.34436

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Google Maps↗Driving directionsApple Maps↗Driving directionsWaze↗Live driving navigationGoogle Transit↗Bus, rail or tramApple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • ☀️June — canopy now fully closed, creating cool dappled shade even on warm days
  • 🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
  • 🐕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
  • 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat

Best for

8 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Robin, Blackbird +79 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Woodpigeon, Robin, Blackbird +79 more · last seen 2026

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Fingered Cowlwort, Bark Signal-moss, Minute Pouncewort +31 more · last seen 2020

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Large Yellow Underwing, Red Admiral, Small White +122 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Large Yellow Underwing, Red Admiral, Small White +122 more · last seen 2026

Free

Foraging

Traditional orchard — seasonal fruit, fungi and wild plants

Varies

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

4 signed routes nearby · 1 public path nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
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
Hardy’s cottage to Max GateWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

16 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
🐴

Horse riding

8 public paths nearby

Public paths
Rod Hill Lanebridleway · 2.2 km
Public pathbridlewayLength 2.2 kmPath type: track

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Ilsington Wood

📷 Mike Faherty · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Ilsington Wood

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🦉THORNCOMBE WOODNature reserve3.1 km→🌱Knighton Reserve SANGUrban park4.1 km→✦KINGSTON MAURWARDHistoric site4.3 km→✦ATHELHAMPTONHistoric site1.9 km→🌱Thomas Hardy GardenUrban park3 km→✦Roman road over Thorncombe Wood and Black HeathHistoric site2 km→

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