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RANSTON

63 ha

Plan your visit

BirdsHeritageWildlife
Public accessDogs welcome63 ha

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦44+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Carrion Crow and Woodpigeon
  • 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

  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Parking

Best for

8 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Stonechat +41 more · last seen 2025; Deciduous woodland — woodpeckers, warblers and woodland birds

Free

Heritage

Grade I listed building: RANSTON; Historic site with public access

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Stonechat +41 more · last seen 2025; Deciduous woodland priority habitat

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Beautiful Demoiselle, Dark-edged Bee-fly, Southern Hawker +7 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

5 signed routes nearby · 7 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
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
Stour Valley WayWalking route100 km
Named routeRef SVWLength 100 kmRegional walking route
Jubilee Trail (Dorset)Walking route
Named routeRegional walking route
🚴

Cycling

27 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 25Cycling route
Named routeRef 25National Cycle Network
North Dorset TrailwayCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
National Cycle Network 250Cycling route
Named routeRef 250National Cycle Network
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

12 public paths nearby

Public paths

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

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Long High Wall, Ranston, Shroton.

Long High Wall, Ranston, Shroton.

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