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Ratcombe Wood

20 ha

📷 N Chadwick · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsDogs
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome20 ha

Getting here

50.91775, -2.54100

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Robin, Wren, Blackbird +59 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Robin, Wren, Blackbird +59 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Traditional orchard — seasonal fruit, fungi and wild plants

Varies

Insect spotting

Insects — Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small White +20 more · last seen 2024; Insects — Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small White +20 more · last seen 2024

Free

Forest walks

Public woodland

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

2 signed routes nearby · 1 public path nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Monarch's WayWalking route990 km

approximate route of Charles II's escape

Named routeRef MWLength 990 kmRegional walking route
Macmillan WayWalking route290 km
Named routeRef MWALength 290 kmListed length 461Regional walking route
🚴

Cycling

24 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 26Cycling route
Named routeRef 26National Cycle Network
Route 30Cycling route
Named routeRef 30Regional cycle route
Main RouteCycling route1.7 km
Named routeRef 26Length 1.7 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route373 m
Named routeRef 26Length 373 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route686 m
Named routeRef 26Length 686 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
N/ACycling route22 m
Named routeLength 22 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
🐴

Horse riding

6 public paths nearby

Public paths

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

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Ratcombe Wood

📷 N Chadwick · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Ratcombe Wood

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Pageant GardensUrban park3.5 km→🌱Pageant GardensUrban park3.5 km→✦The Conduit CrossHistoric site3.7 km→🌱Abbey CloseUrban park3.6 km→✦Church of All HallowsHistoric site3.6 km→✦Sherborne Abbey, remains ofHistoric site3.6 km→

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