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Rolf's Wood

✦ Ancient woodland27 ha

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome27 ha

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦51+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Woodpigeon and Mallard
  • 🐕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
  • 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat

Best for

9 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Mallard, Blackbird +48 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Woodpigeon, Mallard, Blackbird +48 more · last seen 2025

Free

Wildlife

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

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Bluebell, Field Forklet-moss, Schreber's Forklet-moss · last seen 2021

Free

Insect spotting

Chalk and limestone grassland — chalkhill blue, adonis blue and rare moths; Insects — Brimstone, Red Admiral, Large White +74 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

7 signed routes nearby · 12 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
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

26 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

2 public paths nearby

Public paths

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

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Wessex Ridgeway in Preston Wood

Wessex Ridgeway in Preston Wood

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