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Pilsdon Pen hillfort and associated remains

10 ha

📷 Nick Chipchase · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeHeritage
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome10 ha

Getting here

50.80808, -2.83493

Open directionsv
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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦60+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Wren and Carrion Crow
  • ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
  • 🐕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
Parking· Free

Best for

10 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Wren, Carrion Crow, Robin +57 more · last seen 2025; Lowland heathland — Dartford warblers, nightjars and stonechats

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Wren, Carrion Crow, Robin +57 more · last seen 2025; Lowland heathland priority habitat

Free

Heritage

Historic site with public access

Free

Insect spotting

Lowland heathland — silver-studded blue and heath fritillary butterflies; Insects — Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper +99 more · last seen 2026

Free

Mushroom foraging

Fungi — Petticoat Mottlegill, Blushing Bracket, Golden Waxcap +38 more · last seen 2015

Varies

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

4 signed routes nearby · 13 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Monarch's WayWalking route990 km

approximate route of Charles II's escape

Named routeRef MWLength 990 kmRegional walking route
Wessex RidgewayWalking route
Named routeRef WRRegional walking route
Jubilee Trail (Dorset)Walking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Liberty TrailWalking route
Named routeRef LIBRegional walking route
🚴

Cycling

10 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 2Cycling route

National Cycle Route 2 Christchurch to Axminster

Named routeRef 2National Cycle Network
Main RouteCycling route560 m
Named routeRef 2Length 560 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route2.5 km
Named routeRef 2Length 2.5 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route924 m
Named routeRef 2Length 924 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route1.1 km
Named routeRef 2Length 1.1 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route442 m
Named routeRef 2Length 442 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

2 public paths nearby

Public paths

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

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Sheep on Pilsdon Pen

📷 Nick Chipchase · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Sheep on Pilsdon Pen

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Weather for this location

Next 14 days

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

⛪St John's ChurchReligious grounds2.9 km→🌱Girt FieldUrban park2.2 km→✦Lambert's Castle: an Iron Age hillfort 425m west of Nash Farm, with a bowl barrow, and the sites of a post-medieval fair and a telegraph stationHistoric site4.6 km→🌱Pilsdon PlotUrban park2.1 km→🌱MeadUrban park2.1 km→🌱Little MeadUrban park2.1 km→