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Pistle Down

80 ha

📷 Chris Downer · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsInsects
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome80 ha

Getting here

50.89558, -1.86637

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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
  • 📍Open access throughout summer — no booking required

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

7 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Yellowhammer, Chiffchaff, Tree Pipit +74 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Yellowhammer, Chiffchaff, Tree Pipit +74 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Lowland heathland — silver-studded blue and heath fritillary butterflies; Insects — Stag Beetle, Four-spotted Chaser, Azure Damselfly +8 more · last seen 2025

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Ulota crispula, Cow-horn Bog-moss, Dotted Thyme-moss +99 more · last seen 2025; Plants — Ulota crispula, Cow-horn Bog-moss, Dotted Thyme-moss +99 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

4 signed routes nearby · 7 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Avon Valley PathWalking route55 km
Named routeRef AVPLength 55 kmRegional walking route
Jubilee Trail (Dorset)Walking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Play TrailWalking route
Named routeRef Play TrailLocal walking route
The Hardy WayWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
🚴

Cycling

2 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
National BywayCycling route
Named routeRef NBRegional cycle route
Fordingbridge to SalisburyCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
🚵

Mountain biking

7 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Fordingbridge Off Road Cycle TrailMountain bike route
Named route
The Crane LoopMountain bike route
Named routeRef The Crane LoopLocal cycle route
Through the ForestMountain bike route
Named routeRef Through the ForestLocal cycle route
The Watchmoor LoopMountain bike route
Named routeRef The Watchmoor LoopLocal cycle route
Fordingbridge Off Road Cycle Trail (Shortcut)Mountain bike route
Named route
The Somerley LoopMountain bike route
Named routeRef The Somerley LoopLocal cycle route
🐴

Horse riding

22 public paths nearby

Public paths
Burrows Lanebyway open to all traffic · 530 m
Public pathbyway open to all trafficLength 530 mPath type: unclassified
Burrows Lanebyway open to all traffic · 142 m
Public pathbyway open to all trafficLength 142 mPath type: service

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Verwood: aerial on Pistle Down

📷 Chris Downer · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Verwood: aerial on Pistle Down

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Weather for this location

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Verwood Recreation GroundUrban park1.7 km→🌱Ferrett GreenUrban park1.8 km→🌱Verwood GreenUrban park1.8 km→🌱Potterne ParkUrban park3.2 km→✦CRANBORNE MANORHistoric site4.9 km→🏞️MOORS VALLEYCountry park5 km→

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