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← Back🌳 Broadleaved woodland

Lower Barn Plantation

20 ha
WildlifeBirdsInsects
Free entryDogs welcome20 ha

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
  • 🌿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

Best for

6 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Mute Swan, Mallard, Moorhen +38 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Mute Swan, Mallard, Moorhen +38 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Brimstone +69 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Brimstone +69 more · last seen 2026

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Seasonal nature

Plants — Crescent-cup Liverwort, Schreber's Forklet-moss, Field Forklet-moss · last seen 2023; Plants — Crescent-cup Liverwort, Schreber's Forklet-moss, Field Forklet-moss · last seen 2023

Free

Forest walks

Public woodland

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

7 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Fontmell Down walk, Fontmell and Melbury DownsWalking route1.6 km

The down has open access, so you can explore the whole area. The well-used paths and tracks include steep slopes, with uneven surfaces which become muddy and slippery after wet weather.

Named routeLength 1.6 kmDuration 00:45Round tripLocal walking route
Melbury Beacon walk, Fontmell and Melbury DownsWalking route3.7 km

The down has open access, so you can explore the whole area. The well-used paths and tracks include steep slopes, with uneven surfaces that become muddy and slippery after wet weather. Dogs are welcome under close control, as livestock grazes the down.

Named routeLength 3.7 kmDuration 01:30Round tripLocal walking route
Hod Hill circular walk, Hod HillWalking route1.6 km

Hod Hill is a steep climb to the ramparts of the hillfort, followed by a moderately level walk.

Named routeLength 1.6 kmDuration 00:45Round tripLocal walking route
Hod Hill butterfly walk, Hod HillWalking route1.6 km

Easiest approach involves one steep slope, alternative approach is gentler but longer. Site itself is level but uneven with little mud. Dogs welcome, but cattle are on the hill in summer and sheep in winter.

Named routeLength 1.6 kmDuration 00:45Round trip
Wessex RidgewayWalking route
Named routeRef WRRegional walking route
🚴

Cycling

22 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 25Cycling route
Named routeRef 25National Cycle Network
National BywayCycling route
Named routeRef NBRegional cycle route
North Dorset TrailwayCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
North Dorset Cycle WayCycling route
Named routeRegional cycle route
National Byway Dorset LoopCycling route
Named routeRef NB LoopLocal cycle route
Main RouteCycling route47 m
Named routeRef 25Length 47 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
🚵

Mountain biking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby
Wessex Ridgeway TrailMountain bike route
Named routeListed length 207km
🐴

Horse riding

1 public path nearby

Public paths

No named routes yet. Public paths are shown on the map.

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Track to Satan's Square Plantation

Track to Satan's Square Plantation

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Useful places within 5 km

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